The Lessons, Epistles, and Gospels for this day, and for the other holy days which occur in the remainder of the year, either relate some circumstances, or events immediately connected with the Festival, or convey such useful moral instruction, as is calculated to aid us in imitating the virtues of those holy saints whose memories we commemorate.

[Excerpt from John Henry Hobart, A Companion for the Book of Common Prayer, Containing an Explanation of the Service (1859), 111-112.]