In Advent and at Christmas time, in lieu of the above Collect there may be said the following;
IN ADVENT
O God, Who wast pleased to will that at the message of an angel Thy Word should take flesh in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary: grant, that we, Thy suppliants, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with Thee. Through the same Christ our Lord.
From Christmas Day to the Feast of the Purification (Feb. 2).
O God, Who, by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, hast assured to mankind the blessings of eternal life: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may ever experience the intercession of her, through whom we have been found worthy to receive the author of life, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son.
Or the versicle and prayer may be varied according to the season of the ecclesiastical year.
IN ADVENT
V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost.
