Morning Prayer
CHRISTMAS DAY
Christmas and Epiphany / CHRISTMAS DAY
O Lord, open our lips:
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
Amen.
Psalmody
Antiphon:
Your justice Lord dawns like morning light;*
its dawning is as sure as the sunrise.
Hosea 6.3
Opening
Come, let us sing
1 Come, let us sing to the Lord; *
let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before the presence of the Lord with thanksgiving *
and raise a loud shout to God with psalms.
3 For you, O Lord, are a great God, * and a great sovereign above all gods.
4 In your hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are yours also.
5 The sea is yours, for you made it, *
and your hands have moulded the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7 For you are our God, and we are the people of your pasture and the sheep of your hand. *
Oh, that today we would hearken to your voice!
8 “Harden not your hearts, *
as your forebears did in the wilderness.
9 They put me to the test, * though they had seen my works.
10 So I swore in my wrath, *
‘They shall not enter into my rest.’”
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or a suitable Hymn
(Or from Psalm 85)
1. I will listen to what you, Lord God, are saying, *
for you are speaking peace to your faithful people and to
those who turn their hearts to you.
2. Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you,
that your glory may dwell in our land.
3. Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
4. Truth shall spring up from the earth,
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or a suitable hymn
Psalm 19
1. The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament shows the handiwork of the Lord.
2. One day tells its tale to another, *
and one night imparts knowledge to another.
3. Although they have no words or language, * and their voices are not heard,
4. their sound has gone out into all lands, * and their message to the ends of the world.
5. In the deep has God set a pavilion for the sun; *
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber; it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
6. It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens and runs about to the end of it again; *
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
7. The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul; * the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent.
8. The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart;* the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes.
9. The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever; * the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10. More to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold, *
sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb.
11. By them also is your servant enlightened, * and in keeping them there is great reward.
12. Who can tell how often they offend? * Cleanse me from my secret faults.
13. Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not get dominion over me; *
then shall I be whole and sound, and innocent of a great offense.
14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight; *
O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Conclusion
Isaiah 60
1. Arise, shine, for your light has come,*
the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2. For behold darkness shall cover the earth,*
thick darkness the peoples;
3. but the Lord will arise upon you;*
God's glory will be seen upon you.
4. Nations shall come to your light;*
kings to the brightness of your rising.
5. The sun shall be no more your light by day;*
nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by night;
6. but the Lord will be your everlasting light,*
your God will be your glory.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Antiphon: Your justice Lord dawns like morning light;* its dawning is as sure as the sunrise.
Reading(s)
Zechariah 2.10-13
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! For lo, I will come and dwell in your midst, says the Lord. Many nations shall join themselves to the Lord on that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in your midst. And you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.
Be silent, all people, before the Lord; for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.
1 Letter of John 4.7-16
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Saviour of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.
God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.
Silence
Response (Psalm 119.130)
When your word goes forth it gives light.
When your word goes forth it gives light.
It gives understanding to the simple.
It gives light.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
When your word goes forth it gives light.
Song of Zechariah
Song of Zechariah Antiphon: You will guide us with your counsel, O God: * and, after, receive us with glory. To us is born this day a Saviour,* * Christ the Lord.
1 Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,* for he has come to his people and set them free.
2 He has raised up for us a mighty saviour,* born of the house of his servant David.
3 Through his holy prophets he promised of old* that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us.
4 He promised to show mercy to our forebears,* and to remember his holy covenant.
5 This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:* to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
6 free to worship him without fear,* holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
7 You my child shall be called the prophet of the Most High,* for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
8 to give his people knowledge of salvation* by the forgiveness of all their sins.
9 In the tender compassion of our God* the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
10 to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,* and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
(may be said by all)
Song of Zechariah Antiphon: You will guide us with your counsel, O God: * and, after, receive us with glory. To us is born this day a Saviour,* * Christ the Lord.
Prayers
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.
Amen
Collect of the Day
O God our Father,
the light of whose Word has come among us
in the Holy Child of Bethlehem:
grant that the radiance of that true light,
which enlightens our minds by faith,
may shine brightly through our words and deeds;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.
Amen
God most holy, we give you thanks for bringing us out of the shadow of night into the light of morning; and we ask you for the joy of spending this day in your service, so that when evening comes, we may once more give you thanks, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
Amen
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!
The Lord bless us and preserve us from all evil;
and bring us to life eternal.
Amen.
Evening Prayer
CHRISTMAS DAY
Christmas and Epiphany / CHRISTMAS DAY
O God make speed to save us;
O Lord make haste to help us.
Glory to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Psalmody
Antiphon: Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, as we have put our trust in you.
Psalm 33.22
Opening (from Psalm 33)
1. Behold, your eye, O Lord, is upon those who fear you, *
on those who wait upon your love.
2. To pluck their lives from death, *
and to feed them in time of famine.
3. Our soul waits for the Lord *
who is our help and our shield.
4. Indeed, our heart rejoices in God *
in whose holy name we put our trust.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or a suitable Hymn
Psalm 85
1. You have been gracious to your land, O Lord, *
you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.
2. You have forgiven all the iniquity of your people *
and blotted out all their sins.
3. You have withdrawn all your fury *
and turned yourself from your wrathful indignation.
4. Restore us then, O God our Saviour; *
let your anger depart from us.
5. Will you be displeased with us for ever? *
Will you prolong your anger from age to age?
6. Will you not give us life again, *
that your people may rejoice in you?
7. Show us your mercy, O Lord, *
and grant us your salvation.
8. I will listen to what you, Lord God, are saying, *
for you are speaking peace to your faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to you.
9. Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear
you, *
that your glory may dwell in our land.
10. Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11. Truth shall spring up from the earth, *
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12. Lord, you will indeed grant prosperity, *
and our land will yield its increase.
13. Righteousness shall go before you, *
and peace shall be a pathway for your feet.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Psalm 138
1. I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart; *
before the gods I will sing your praise.
2. I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your name, * because of your love and faithfulness;
for you have glorified your name *and your word
above all things.
3. When I called, you answered me; *
you increased my strength within me.
4. All the rulers of the earth will praise you, O Lord, *
when they have heard the words of your mouth.
5. They will sing of the ways of the Lord, *
that great is the glory of the Lord.
6. Though you are high, you care for the lowly; *
you perceive the haughty from afar.
7. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; *
you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my
enemies; your mighty hand shall save me.
8. O Lord, you will make good your purpose for me; *
your love endures for ever; do not abandon the
works of your hands.
Conclusion
Philippians 2
1. Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus:*
the divine nature was his from the first:
2. Yet he did not grasp at equality with God;*
he emptied himself and became like a slave.
3. Taking the nature of man he was revealed in human form;*
he humbled himself and became obedient even to death,
death on a cross.
4. Therefore God has raised him on high,*
and has given him a name above every other name;
5. So that in the name of Jesus every knee shall bow,*
in heaven, on earth, and in the depths;
6. And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord;*
to the glory of God the Father.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Antiphon: Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, as we have put our trust in you.
Reading(s)
John 3.31-36
The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath.
Silence
Response Psalm 89.27
I will make the son of David my firstborn.
I will make the son of David my firstborn.
Higher than the rulers of the earth.
My firstborn.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
I will make the son of David my firstborn.
Song of Mary
Song of Mary Antiphon: To us is born this day a Saviour,* Christ the Lord. Luke 2.11
1 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
*my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
2 for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant;*
from this day all generations will call me blessed.
3 The Almighty has done great things for me*
and holy is his name.
4 He has mercy on those who fear him*
in every generation.
5 He has shown the strength of his arm;*
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
6 He has cast down the mighty from their thrones*
and has lifted up the lowly.
7 He has filled the hungry with good things,*
and the rich he has sent away empty.
8 He has come to the help of his servant Israel,*
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
9 the promise he made to our forebears,*
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
(may be said by all)
Song of Mary Antiphon: To us is born this day a Saviour,* Christ the Lord. Luke 2.11
Prayers
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
Collect of the Day
O God our Father,
the light of whose Word has come among us
in the Holy Child of Bethlehem:
grant that the radiance of that true light,
which enlightens our minds by faith,
may shine brightly through our words and deeds;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.
Amen
Lord God almighty, come and dispel the darkness from our hearts, that in the radiance of your brightness we may know you, the only unfading light, glorious in all eternity.
Amen.
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!
The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing:
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Night Prayer
CHRISTMAS DAY
Christmas and Epiphany / CHRISTMAS DAY
The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
Amen.
O God, make speed to save us;
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to God, source of all being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Alleluia!
Psalmody
Opening This or another suitable opening hymn may be sung.
"Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.
From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread underfoot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.
O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death."
Antiphon: O Lord, my God, my Saviour,* by day and night I cry to you.
Psalm: Psalm 88
2. Let my prayer enter into your presence;*
incline your ear to my lamentation.
3. For I am full of trouble;*
my life is at the brink of the grave.
4. I am counted among those who go down to the Pit;*
I have become like one who has no strength;
5 Lost among the dead,*
like the slain who lie in the grave,
6. Whom you remember no more,*
for they are cut off from your hand.
7. You have laid me in the depths of the Pit,*
in dark places, and in the abyss.
8. Your anger weighs upon me heavily,*
and all your great waves overwhelm me.
9. You have put my friends far from me;
you have made me to be abhorred by them;*
I am in prison and cannot get free.
10. My sight has failed me because of trouble;*
Lord, I have called upon you daily;
I have stretched out my hands to you.
11. Do you work wonders for the dead?*
will those who have died stand up and give you thanks?
12. Will your loving-kindness be declared in the grave?*
your faithfulness in the land of destruction?
13. Will your wonders be known in the dark?*
or your righteousness in the country where all is forgotten?
14. But as for me, O Lord, I cry to you for help;*
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
15. Lord, why have you rejected me?*
why have you hidden your face from me?
16. Ever since my youth, I have been wretched and at the point of death;*
I have borne your terrors with a troubled mind.
17. Your blazing anger has swept over me;*
your terrors have destroyed me;
18. They surround me all day long like a flood;*
they encompass me on every side.
19. My friend and neighbour you have put away from me,*
and darkness is my only companion.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Antiphon: O Lord, my God, my Saviour, by day and night I cry to you.
Reading(s)
Jeremiah 14.9
You are in our midst, Lord, and we bear your name. Do not forsake us.
Thanks be to God.
Silence
Response Psalm 31.5
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
I commend my spirit.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Song of Simeon
Antiphon:
Preserve us, O Lord,* while waking, and guard us while sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
1. Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace;*
your word has been fulfilled.
2. My own eyes have seen the salvation*
which you have prepared in the sight of every
people;
3. A light to reveal you to the nations,*
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
or
Glory be to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Antiphon: Preserve us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Prayers
Collect
Lighten our darkness, Lord, we pray; and in your mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Conclusion
The Lord be with you;
and also with you.
Let us bless the Lord;
Thanks be to God.
May the almighty and merciful God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, bless and keep us.
Amen.
or
May we be hidden under the shadow of God’s wings, this night and for ever.
Amen.