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CHRISTMAS,
PROPER I
ISAIAH 9:2-7
PSALM
96
TITUS
2:11-14
LUKE
2:1-14 (15-20)
COLLECT
Eternal God,
this holy night is radiant
with the brilliance of your one true light.
As we have known
the revelation of that light on earth,
bring us to see the splendour of your heavenly glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
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A
READING FROM THE BOOK OF ISAIAH
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.
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. 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. For all the boots of the tramping
warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as
fuel for the fire. 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. 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 onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts
will do this. ISAIAH 9:2-7
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PSALM
REFRAIN All the ends of the earth have sent the salvation of our
God.
Sing
to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth.
Sing
to the Lord and bless his name; proclaim the good news of his
salvation from day to day.
Declare
his glory among the nations and his wonders among all peoples.
For
great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; he is more to be
feared than all gods. R
As
for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; but it is the
Lord who made the heavens.
Oh,
the majesty and magnificence of his presence! Oh, the power and
the splendour of his sanctuary!
Ascribe
to the Lord, you families of the peoples; ascribe to the Lord
honour and power.
Ascribe
to the Lord the honour due his name; bring offerings and come into
his courts. R
Worship
the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth tremble
before him.
Tell
it out among the nations: "The Lord is King! he has made the
world so firm that it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples
with equity."
Let
the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea
thunder and all that is in it; let the field be joyful and all
that is therein. R
Then
shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy before the Lord when
he comes, when he comes to judge the earth.
He
will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with his
truth. R
PSALM 96
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A
READING FROM THE LETTER OF PAUL TO TITUS
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all,
training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the
present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and
godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of
the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He 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.
TITUS 2:11-14
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THE
HOLY GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
ACCORDING TO LUKE
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the
world should be registered. This was the first registration and
was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their
own towns to be registered. Joseph 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. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged
and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time
came for her to deliver her child. And 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. In that
region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch
over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before
them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were
terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for
see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:
to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the
Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a
child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And
suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly
host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest
heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!"
[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." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and
the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known
what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it
were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured
all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds
returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and
seen, as it had been told them.]
LUKE 2:1-14 (15-20)
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PRAYER
OVER THE GIFTS
Source of light and gladness,
accept all we offer on this joyful feast.
May we grow up in him who unites our lives to yours;
for he is Lord now and for ever.
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PRAYER
AFTER COMMUNION
Father of all,
tonight you have united earth and heaven
in sending your Son to take our human nature.
May we who have tasted heavenly things
share in the life of his eternal kingdom.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
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