Opening Sentences through the Year

  • During Advent (First Sunday in Advent (Sunday nearest to November 30) – December 23)

Repent ye, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 3:2

  • During Christmas (December 24 – January 5)

Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11

  • Epiphany and Following (January 6 – Shrove Tuesday)

From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my Name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my Name, and a pure offering: for my Name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.  

Malachi 1:11

  • Lent (Ash Wednesday – Tuesday in Holy Week)

Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

 Joel 2:13

  • Spy Wednesday (Wednesday in Holy Week)

Yea, even mine own familiar friend, whom I trusted :
who did also eat of my bread, hath laid great wait for me.

Psalm 41:9

  • Maundy Thursday

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 13:34

  • Good Friday

Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me.  

Lamentation 1:12

  • Easter Eve (Holy Saturday)

Thou shalt not leave my soul in hell :
neither shalt thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.

Psalm 16:11

  • Easter Week

He is risen! The Lord is risen indeed!

Mark 16:6; Luke 24:34

  • Second Sunday of Easter – Wednesday before Ascension Day

This is the day which the Lord hath made :
we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

  • Ascension (Ascension Thursday – Pentecost Eve)

Seeing that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  

Hebrews 4:14, 16

  • Pentecost (Whit Sunday – Eve of Trinity Sunday

Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Galatians 4:6

  • Trinity Sunday – June 30

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Revelation 4:8

  • July 1 – July 31

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart :
be alway acceptable in thy sight, O Lord :
my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

  • August 1 – August 31

O send out thy light and thy truth, that they may lead me :
and bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy dwelling.

Psalm 43:3

  • September 1 – September 30

Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.  

Isaiah 57:15

  • October 1 – October 31

The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

John 4:23

  • November 1 – Saturday next before the First Sunday in Advent

THE LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

Habakkuk 2:20