What is Michaelmas?
Why does Michaelmas pair a battle in heaven with Jesus placing a child among the disciples? Explore the feast through its 1662 readings.
Michaelmas is the feast of Saint Michael and All Angels, kept on 29 September. In the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, its two Communion readings make an arresting pair. One describes a battle in heaven. In the other, Jesus places a child among the disciples.
Where the victory comes from
In Revelation 12:7–12, Michael leads angels against the dragon, identified in the passage as the devil and Satan. The vision announces the defeat of the accuser. Yet its explanation of victory directs our attention to Christ: the faithful overcome through the Lamb’s blood and their testimony. Michael serves within God’s saving work; the feast does not give us another saviour.
The reading also speaks of suffering and costly faithfulness. Christian hope here is stronger than the claim that believers will escape danger. Evil is confronted, but people on earth still face it.
A child in the middle
The appointed Gospel, Matthew 18:1–10, begins with the disciples asking who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus sets a child among them and speaks of humility, welcome and the terrible seriousness of causing harm. The passage ends by warning against despising the little ones, whose angels behold the Father’s face.
Reading these passages together can change the question we bring to the feast. After the heavenly conflict, we hear what Jesus says about greatness among us. Someone easily overlooked becomes the centre of attention. That connection offers a way to reflect on the readings; it does not explain every detail of Revelation’s vision.
The prayer of the feast
The collect addresses God and asks for the help and defence of the holy angels, who serve God in heaven. It is a prayer of dependence, offered through Jesus Christ. We can pray it without claiming to know how that help will come.
You can read the collect and both passages together in the 1662 provision for Saint Michael and All Angels. These are the feast’s Communion readings; the daily offices have their own appointed lessons. For current worship arrangements at Christ Church, see Services and Liturgy.
