Compline for Advent

The liturgy for the Compline service is found in the Book of Common Prayer.

Spiritual Purpose

• Preparation for rest: Compline helps worshippers lay aside the cares of the day and entrust themselves to God’s keeping.
• Atmosphere: Often celebrated with candles, incense, and quiet chant, creating a contemplative mood.
• Community and personal devotion: It can be prayed individually, in small groups, or as a public service. Many Episcopal parishes offer weekly Compline, sometimes with choir-led chant, to invite the wider community into stillness.

Compline is cherished for its simplicity, beauty, and sense of closure. It offers:

• A rhythm of prayer that connects modern Episcopalians to ancient monastic tradition.
• A way to end the day with peace, reflection, and trust in God’s protection.
• A spiritual practice that emphasizes rest, silence, and renewal.