Reading Notes: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: 18–25 January

Collect

Almighty God,

whose Son revealed in signs and miracles

the wonder of your saving presence:

renew your people with your heavenly grace,

and in all our weakness

sustain us by your mighty power;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

God of all mercy,

your Son proclaimed good news to the poor,

release to the captives,

and freedom to the oppressed:

anoint us with your Holy Spirit

and set all your people free

to praise you in Christ our Lord.

Readings

Isaiah 62.1-5

62

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,

   and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,

until her vindication shines out like the dawn,

   and her salvation like a burning torch.

2 The nations shall see your vindication,

   and all the kings your glory;

and you shall be called by a new name

   that the mouth of the Lord will give.

3 You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,

   and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

4 You shall no more be termed Forsaken,

   and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;

but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,

   and your land Married;

for the Lord delights in you,

   and your land shall be married.

5 For as a young man marries a young woman,

   so shall your builder marry you,

and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,

   so shall your God rejoice over you.

This is the word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

Psalm 36.5-10

5  Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens •

   and your faithfulness to the clouds.

6  Your righteousness stands like the strong mountains,

      your justice like the great deep; •

   you, Lord, shall save both man and beast.

7  How precious is your loving mercy, O God! •

   All mortal flesh shall take refuge

      under the shadow of your wings.

8  They shall be satisfied with the abundance of your house; •

   they shall drink from the river of your delights.

9  For with you is the well of life •

   and in your light shall we see light.

10  O continue your loving-kindness to those who know you •

   and your righteousness to those who are true of heart.

1 Corinthians 12.1-11

12

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. 3Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says ‘Let Jesus be cursed!’ and no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

This is the word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

All Glory to you, O Lord.

John 2.1-11

2

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ 4And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ 5His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ 6Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. 8He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. 9When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’ 11Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All Praise to you, O Christ.

Post Communion

Almighty Father,

whose Son our Saviour Jesus Christ is the light of the world:

may your people,

illumined by your word and sacraments,

shine with the radiance of his glory,

that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth;

for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

Eternal Father,

who at the baptism of Jesus

revealed him to be your Son,

anointing him with the Holy Spirit:

grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit,

that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

Heavenly Father,

at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son:

may we recognize him as our Lord

and know ourselves to be your beloved children;

through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Readings

Isaiah 43.1-7

43

But now thus says the Lord,

   he who created you, O Jacob,

   he who formed you, O Israel:

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

   I have called you by name, you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

   and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

   and the flame shall not consume you.

3 For I am the Lord your God,

   the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.

I give Egypt as your ransom,

   Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.

4 Because you are precious in my sight,

   and honoured, and I love you,

I give people in return for you,

   nations in exchange for your life.

5 Do not fear, for I am with you;

   I will bring your offspring from the east,

   and from the west I will gather you;

6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up’,

   and to the south, ‘Do not withhold;

bring my sons from far away

   and my daughters from the end of the earth—

7 everyone who is called by my name,

   whom I created for my glory,

   whom I formed and made.’

This is the word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

Psalm 29

1  Ascribe to the Lord, you powers of heaven, •

   ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

2  Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; •

   worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

3  The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;

      the God of glory thunders; •

   the Lord is upon the mighty waters.

4  The voice of the Lord is mighty in operation; •

   the voice of the Lord is a glorious voice.

5  The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; •

   the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;

6  He makes Lebanon skip like a calf •

   and Sirion like a young wild ox.

7  The voice of the Lord splits the flash of lightning;

      the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; •

   the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

8  The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe

      and strips the forests bare; •

   in his temple all cry, ‘Glory!’

9  The Lord sits enthroned above the water flood; •

   the Lord sits enthroned as king for evermore.

10  The Lord shall give strength to his people; •

   the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.

Acts 8.14-17

14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16(for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

All Glory to you, O Lord.

Luke 3.15-17, 21-22

15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’

21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All Praise to you, O Christ.

Post Communion

Lord of all time and eternity,

you opened the heavens and revealed yourself as Father

in the baptism of Jesus your beloved Son:

by the power of your Spirit

complete the heavenly work of our rebirth

through the waters of the new creation;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

O God,

who by the leading of a star

manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth:

mercifully grant that we,

who know you now by faith,

may at last behold your glory face to face;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

Creator of the heavens,

who led the Magi by a star

to worship the Christ-child:

guide and sustain us,

that we may find our journey’s end

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings

Isaiah 60.1-6

60

Arise, shine; for your light has come,

   and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

2 For darkness shall cover the earth,

   and thick darkness the peoples;

but the Lord will arise upon you,

   and his glory will appear over you.

3 Nations shall come to your light,

   and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

4 Lift up your eyes and look around;

   they all gather together, they come to you;

your sons shall come from far away,

   and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.

5 Then you shall see and be radiant;

   your heart shall thrill and rejoice,

because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,

   the wealth of the nations shall come to you.

6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,

   the young camels of Midian and Ephah;

   all those from Sheba shall come.

They shall bring gold and frankincense,

   and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

This is the word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

Psalm 72. [1-9] 10-15

[

1  Give the king your judgements, O God, •

   and your righteousness to the son of a king.

2  Then shall he judge your people righteously •

   and your poor with justice.

3  May the mountains bring forth peace, •

   and the little hills righteousness for the people.

4  May he defend the poor among the people, •

   deliver the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.

5  May he live as long as the sun and moon endure, •

   from one generation to another.

6  May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, •

   like the showers that water the earth.

7  In his time shall righteousness flourish, •

   and abundance of peace

      till the moon shall be no more.

8  May his dominion extend from sea to sea •

   and from the River to the ends of the earth.

9  May his foes kneel before him •

   and his enemies lick the dust.

] 10  The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute; •

   the kings of Sheba and Seba shall bring gifts.

11  All kings shall fall down before him; •

   all nations shall do him service.

12  For he shall deliver the poor that cry out, •

   the needy and those who have no helper.

13  He shall have pity on the weak and poor; •

   he shall preserve the lives of the needy.

14  He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, •

   and dear shall their blood be in his sight.

15  Long may he live;

      unto him may be given gold from Sheba; •

   may prayer be made for him continually

      and may they bless him all the day long.

Ephesians 3.1-12

3

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, 4a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. 5In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

7 Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. 8Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, 9and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

This is the word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

All Glory to you, O Lord.

Matthew 2.1-12

2

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

6 “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

   are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

   who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’

7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All Praise to you, O Christ.

Post Communion

Lord God,

the bright splendour whom the nations seek:

may we who with the wise men have been drawn by your light

discern the glory of your presence in your Son,

the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Eternal God, who made this most holy night

to shine with the brightness of your one true light:

bring us, who have known the revelation of that light on earth,

to see the radiance of your heavenly glory;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

Eternal God,

in the stillness of this night

you sent your almighty Word

to pierce the world’s darkness with the light of salvation:

give to the earth the peace that we long for

and fill our hearts with the joy of heaven

through our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Readings

Set I

Isaiah 9.2-7

2 The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness—

on them light has shined.

3 You have multiplied the nation,

you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

as with joy at the harvest,

as people exult when dividing plunder.

4 For the yoke of their burden,

and the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressor,

you have broken as on the day of Midian.

5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors

and all the garments rolled in blood

shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

6 For a child has been born for us,

a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders;

and he is named

Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 His authority shall grow continually,

and there shall be endless peace

for the throne of David and his kingdom.

He will establish and uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time onwards and for evermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Psalm 96

1  Sing to the Lord a new song; •

sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2  Sing to the Lord and bless his name; •

tell out his salvation from day to day.

3  Declare his glory among the nations •

and his wonders among all peoples.

4  For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; •

he is more to be feared than all gods.

5  For all the gods of the nations are but idols; •

it is the Lord who made the heavens.

6  Honour and majesty are before him; •

power and splendour are in his sanctuary.

7  Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; •

ascribe to the Lord honour and strength.

8  Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; •

bring offerings and come into his courts.

9  O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; •

let the whole earth tremble before him.

10  Tell it out among the nations that the Lord is king. •

He has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;

he will judge the peoples with equity.

11  Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad; •

let the sea thunder and all that is in it;

12  Let the fields be joyful and all that is in them; •

let all the trees of the wood shout for joy before the Lord.

13  For he comes, he comes to judge the earth; •

with righteousness he will judge the world

and the peoples with his truth.

Titus 2.11-14

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 14He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

AllGlory to you, O Lord.

Luke 2.1-14 [15-20]

2

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’[

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.]

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

AllPraise to you, O Christ.

Set II

Isaiah 62.6-end

6 Upon your walls, O Jerusalem,

I have posted sentinels;

all day and all night

they shall never be silent.

You who remind the Lord,

take no rest,

7 and give him no rest

until he establishes Jerusalem

and makes it renowned throughout the earth.

8 The Lord has sworn by his right hand

and by his mighty arm:

I will not again give your grain

to be food for your enemies,

and foreigners shall not drink the wine

for which you have laboured;

9 but those who garner it shall eat it

and praise the Lord,

and those who gather it shall drink it

in my holy courts.

10 Go through, go through the gates,

prepare the way for the people;

build up, build up the highway,

clear it of stones,

lift up an ensign over the peoples.

11 The Lord has proclaimed

to the end of the earth:

Say to daughter Zion,

‘See, your salvation comes;

his reward is with him,

and his recompense before him.’

12 They shall be called, ‘The Holy People,

The Redeemed of the Lord’;

and you shall be called, ‘Sought Out,

A City Not Forsaken.’

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Psalm 97

1  The Lord is king: let the earth rejoice; •

let the multitude of the isles be glad.

2  Clouds and darkness are round about him; •

righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3  Fire goes before him •

and burns up his enemies on every side.

4  His lightnings lit up the world; •

the earth saw it and trembled.

5  The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, •

at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6  The heavens declared his righteousness, •

and all the peoples have seen his glory.

7  Confounded be all who worship carved images

and delight in mere idols. •

Bow down before him, all you gods.

8  Zion heard and was glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoiced, •

because of your judgements, O Lord.

9  For you, Lord, are most high over all the earth; •

you are exalted far above all gods.

10  The Lord loves those who hate evil; •

he preserves the lives of his faithful

and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

11  Light has sprung up for the righteous •

and joy for the true of heart.

12  Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, •

and give thanks to his holy name.

Titus 3.4-7

4But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Saviour appeared, 5he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

AllGlory to you, O Lord.

Luke 2. [1-7] 8-20

[

2

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.]

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

AllPraise to you, O Christ.

Set III

Isaiah 52.7-10

7 How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,

who brings good news,

who announces salvation,

who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’

8 Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,

together they sing for joy;

for in plain sight they see

the return of the Lord to Zion.

9 Break forth together into singing,

you ruins of Jerusalem;

for the Lord has comforted his people,

he has redeemed Jerusalem.

10 The Lord has bared his holy arm

before the eyes of all the nations;

and all the ends of the earth shall see

the salvation of our God.

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Psalm 98

1  Sing to the Lord a new song, •

for he has done marvellous things.

2  His own right hand and his holy arm •

have won for him the victory.

3  The Lord has made known his salvation; •

his deliverance has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

4  He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness

towards the house of Israel, •

and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

5  Sound praises to the Lord, all the earth; •

break into singing and make music.

6  Make music to the Lord with the lyre, •

with the lyre and the voice of melody.

7  With trumpets and the sound of the horn •

sound praises before the Lord, the King.

8  Let the sea thunder and all that fills it, •

the world and all that dwell upon it.

9  Let the rivers clap their hands •

and let the hills ring out together before the Lord,

for he comes to judge the earth.

10  In righteousness shall he judge the world •

and the peoples with equity.

Hebrews 1.1-4 [5-12]

1

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.[

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

‘You are my Son;

today I have begotten you’?

Or again,

‘I will be his Father,

and he will be my Son’?

6And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,

‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’

7Of the angels he says,

‘He makes his angels winds,

and his servants flames of fire.’

8But of the Son he says,

‘Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever,

and the righteous sceptre is the sceptre of your kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has anointed you

with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.’

10And,

‘In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands;

11 they will perish, but you remain;

they will all wear out like clothing;

12 like a cloak you will roll them up,

and like clothing they will be changed.

But you are the same,

and your years will never end.’]

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

AllGlory to you, O Lord.

John 1.1-14

1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

AllPraise to you, O Christ.

Post Communion

God our Father,

in this night you have made known to us again

the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

confirm our faith and fix our eyes on him

until the day dawns

and Christ the Morning Star rises in our hearts.

To him be glory both now and for ever.

Reading Notes: Any of the following three sets of Principal Service readings may be used on the evening of Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day. Set III should be used at some service during the celebration.

Collect

Almighty God,

you have given us your only-begotten Son

to take our nature upon him

and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin:

grant that we, who have been born again

and made your children by adoption and grace,

may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

Lord Jesus Christ,

your birth at Bethlehem

draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth:

accept our heartfelt praise

as we worship you,

our Saviour and our eternal God.

Readings

Set I

Isaiah 9.2-7

2 The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness—

on them light has shined.

3 You have multiplied the nation,

you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

as with joy at the harvest,

as people exult when dividing plunder.

4 For the yoke of their burden,

and the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressor,

you have broken as on the day of Midian.

5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors

and all the garments rolled in blood

shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

6 For a child has been born for us,

a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders;

and he is named

Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 His authority shall grow continually,

and there shall be endless peace

for the throne of David and his kingdom.

He will establish and uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time onwards and for evermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Psalm 96

1  Sing to the Lord a new song; •

sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2  Sing to the Lord and bless his name; •

tell out his salvation from day to day.

3  Declare his glory among the nations •

and his wonders among all peoples.

4  For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; •

he is more to be feared than all gods.

5  For all the gods of the nations are but idols; •

it is the Lord who made the heavens.

6  Honour and majesty are before him; •

power and splendour are in his sanctuary.

7  Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; •

ascribe to the Lord honour and strength.

8  Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; •

bring offerings and come into his courts.

9  O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; •

let the whole earth tremble before him.

10  Tell it out among the nations that the Lord is king. •

He has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;

he will judge the peoples with equity.

11  Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad; •

let the sea thunder and all that is in it;

12  Let the fields be joyful and all that is in them; •

let all the trees of the wood shout for joy before the Lord.

13  For he comes, he comes to judge the earth; •

with righteousness he will judge the world

and the peoples with his truth.

Titus 2.11-14

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 14He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

AllGlory to you, O Lord.

Luke 2.1-14 [15-20]

2

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’[

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.]

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

AllPraise to you, O Christ.

Set II

Isaiah 62.6-end

6 Upon your walls, O Jerusalem,

I have posted sentinels;

all day and all night

they shall never be silent.

You who remind the Lord,

take no rest,

7 and give him no rest

until he establishes Jerusalem

and makes it renowned throughout the earth.

8 The Lord has sworn by his right hand

and by his mighty arm:

I will not again give your grain

to be food for your enemies,

and foreigners shall not drink the wine

for which you have laboured;

9 but those who garner it shall eat it

and praise the Lord,

and those who gather it shall drink it

in my holy courts.

10 Go through, go through the gates,

prepare the way for the people;

build up, build up the highway,

clear it of stones,

lift up an ensign over the peoples.

11 The Lord has proclaimed

to the end of the earth:

Say to daughter Zion,

‘See, your salvation comes;

his reward is with him,

and his recompense before him.’

12 They shall be called, ‘The Holy People,

The Redeemed of the Lord’;

and you shall be called, ‘Sought Out,

A City Not Forsaken.’

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Psalm 97

1  The Lord is king: let the earth rejoice; •

let the multitude of the isles be glad.

2  Clouds and darkness are round about him; •

righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3  Fire goes before him •

and burns up his enemies on every side.

4  His lightnings lit up the world; •

the earth saw it and trembled.

5  The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, •

at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6  The heavens declared his righteousness, •

and all the peoples have seen his glory.

7  Confounded be all who worship carved images

and delight in mere idols. •

Bow down before him, all you gods.

8  Zion heard and was glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoiced, •

because of your judgements, O Lord.

9  For you, Lord, are most high over all the earth; •

you are exalted far above all gods.

10  The Lord loves those who hate evil; •

he preserves the lives of his faithful

and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

11  Light has sprung up for the righteous •

and joy for the true of heart.

12  Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, •

and give thanks to his holy name.

Titus 3.4-7

4But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Saviour appeared, 5he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

AllGlory to you, O Lord.

Luke 2. [1-7] 8-20

[

2

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.]

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

AllPraise to you, O Christ.

Set III

Isaiah 52.7-10

7 How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,

who brings good news,

who announces salvation,

who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’

8 Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,

together they sing for joy;

for in plain sight they see

the return of the Lord to Zion.

9 Break forth together into singing,

you ruins of Jerusalem;

for the Lord has comforted his people,

he has redeemed Jerusalem.

10 The Lord has bared his holy arm

before the eyes of all the nations;

and all the ends of the earth shall see

the salvation of our God.

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Psalm 98

1  Sing to the Lord a new song, •

for he has done marvellous things.

2  His own right hand and his holy arm •

have won for him the victory.

3  The Lord has made known his salvation; •

his deliverance has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

4  He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness

towards the house of Israel, •

and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

5  Sound praises to the Lord, all the earth; •

break into singing and make music.

6  Make music to the Lord with the lyre, •

with the lyre and the voice of melody.

7  With trumpets and the sound of the horn •

sound praises before the Lord, the King.

8  Let the sea thunder and all that fills it, •

the world and all that dwell upon it.

9  Let the rivers clap their hands •

and let the hills ring out together before the Lord,

for he comes to judge the earth.

10  In righteousness shall he judge the world •

and the peoples with equity.

Hebrews 1.1-4 [5-12]

1

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.[

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

‘You are my Son;

today I have begotten you’?

Or again,

‘I will be his Father,

and he will be my Son’?

6And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,

‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’

7Of the angels he says,

‘He makes his angels winds,

and his servants flames of fire.’

8But of the Son he says,

‘Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever,

and the righteous sceptre is the sceptre of your kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has anointed you

with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.’

10And,

‘In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands;

11 they will perish, but you remain;

they will all wear out like clothing;

12 like a cloak you will roll them up,

and like clothing they will be changed.

But you are the same,

and your years will never end.’]

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

AllGlory to you, O Lord.

John 1.1-14

1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

AllPraise to you, O Christ.

Post Communion

God our Father,

whose Word has come among us

in the Holy Child of Bethlehem:

may the light of faith illumine our hearts

and shine in our words and deeds;

through him who is Christ the Lord.

God our redeemer,

who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary

to be the mother of your Son:

grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour,

so we may be ready to greet him

when he comes again as our judge;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

Eternal God,

as Mary waited for the birth of your Son,

so we wait for his coming in glory;

bring us through the birth pangs of this present age

to see, with her, our great salvation

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings

Micah 5.2-5a

2 But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,

who are one of the little clans of Judah,

from you shall come forth for me

one who is to rule in Israel,

whose origin is from of old,

from ancient days.

3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time

when she who is in labour has brought forth;

then the rest of his kindred shall return

to the people of Israel.

4 And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,

in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.

And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great

to the ends of the earth;

5 and he shall be the one of peace.

If the Assyrians come into our land

and tread upon our soil,

we will raise against them seven shepherds

and eight installed as rulers.

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Magnificat

Magnificat (The Song of Mary)

1            My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  •

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2            From this day all generations will call me blessed;  •

the Almighty has done great things for me

and holy is his name.

3            He has mercy on those who fear him,  •

from generation to generation.

4            He has shown strength with his arm  •

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5            Casting down the mighty from their thrones  •

and lifting up the lowly.

6            He has filled the hungry with good things  •

and sent the rich away empty.

7            He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  •

to remember his promise of mercy,

8            The promise made to our ancestors,  •

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke 1.46-55

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

or Psalm 80.1-8

1  Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, •

you that led Joseph like a flock;

2  Shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim, •

before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.

3  Stir up your mighty strength •

and come to our salvation.

4  Turn us again, O God; •

show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

5  O Lord God of hosts, •

how long will you be angry at your people’s prayer?

6  You feed them with the bread of tears; •

you give them abundance of tears to drink.

7  You have made us the derision of our neighbours, •

and our enemies laugh us to scorn.

8  Turn us again, O God of hosts; •

show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Hebrews 10.5-10

5Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,

‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,

but a body you have prepared for me;

6 in burnt-offerings and sin-offerings

you have taken no pleasure.

7 Then I said, “See, God, I have come to do your will, O God”

(in the scroll of the book it is written of me).’

8When he said above, ‘You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt-offerings and sin-offerings’ (these are offered according to the law), 9then he added, ‘See, I have come to do your will.’ He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. 10And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

AllGlory to you, O Lord.

Luke 1.39-45 [46-55]

39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’[

46 And Mary said,

‘My soul magnifies the Lord,

47   and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

48 for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

50 His mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

and lifted up the lowly;

53 he has filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,

to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’]

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

AllPraise to you, O Christ.

Post Communion

Heavenly Father,

who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary

to be the mother of the promised saviour:

fill us your servants with your grace,

that in all things we may embrace your holy will

and with her rejoice in your salvation;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.