On the Third Day of Christmas: Here We Come A-wassailing!
The Third Day of Christmas - December 27th The Feast of St. John
The Feast of St. John the Evangelist is the second of three Prayer Book Holy Days immediately following Christmas Day. The third and final Mass of Christmas, the "Mass of the Day", has as its Gospel the beginning of St. John's Gospel which proclaims the mystery of the Word made flesh. Today would be a particularly good day to spend some time reading and meditating on John 1: 1-14.
Tradition tells us that John was once given a cup of poisoned wine, but drank it with no ill effect. A chalice with a serpent signifying the powerless poison is one of his symbols. In spite of exile and attempts to kill him, John lived to a great old age. In his last years it is said that he had to be carried to the assembly of the Church and, when he was asked to speak, he would say, simply, "My dear children, love one another."
Watch: Here We Come A-wassailing - Little Women
Read: Psalm 92; Exodus 33:18-23; 1 John 1:1-9; John 21:9b-24
Pray: Book of Common Prayer, Collect for Feast of St. John
“Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
Do: Bless the wine for St. John's Day
This Cranberry Mulled Cider recipe is our go-to beverage throughout Advent and Christmastide (and what we served during the cocktail hour of our son’s wedding three Januarys ago). We love to add bourbon for the adults in the room.
It is the custom to bless wine on St. John's Day and to drink a toast to the love of God and to the saint.
The Blessing of Wine on St. John's Day
Lord Jesus Christ, Thou didst call Thyself the vine and Thy holy Apostles the branches; and out of all those who love Thee, Thou didst desire to make a good vineyard. Bless this wine and pour into it the might of Thy benediction. Grant that every one who drinks of it may, through the intercession of Thy beloved disciple the holy Apostle and Evangelist John, find courage and strength to pursue the Way, be renewed in the Truth of the Word made flesh, and at the last enter into Life everlasting, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.
A glass of wine is then passed around the table.
As it is passed, the giver says: Drink to the love of St. John.
And the recipient answers: For where love is, there is God.
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