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Rite Two
December 24, 2024
Christmas Eve
The Officiant begins the service with one or more of the following sentences of Scripture;
or with the Service of Light, and continuing with the appointed Psalmody;
or with the versicle “O God, make speed to save us.”
All Saints and other Major Saints’ Days
We give thanks to the Father, who has made us worthy to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.Colossians 1:12
All Saints and other Major Saints’ Days
You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.Ephesians 2:19
All Saints and other Major Saints’ Days
Their sound has gone out into all lands, and their message to the ends of the world.Psalm 19:4
Evening
Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.Psalm 141:2
Evening
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.Philippians 1:2
Evening
Worship the Lord in the beauty of his holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him.Psalm 96:9
Evening
Yours is the day, O God, yours also the night; you established the moon and the sun. You fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.Psalm 74:15,16
Evening
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me, night after night. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not fall.Psalm 16:7,8
Evening
Seek him who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep darkness into the morning, and darkens the day into night; who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the surface of the earth: The Lord is his name.Amos 5:8
Evening
If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night,” darkness is not dark to you, O Lord; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike.Psalm 139:10,11
Evening
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”John 8:12
The following Confession of Sin may then be said; or the Office may continue at once with “O God make speed to save us.”
Confession of Sin
The Officiant says to the people
Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of Almighty God our heavenly Father, to set forth his praise, to hear his holy Word, and to ask, for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things that are necessary for our life and our salvation. And so that we may prepare ourselves in heart and mind to worship him, let us kneel in silence, and with penitent and obedient hearts confess our sins, that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness and mercy.
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept.
Officiant and People together, all kneeling
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The Priest alone stands and says
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
A deacon or lay person using the preceding form remains kneeling, and substitutes “us” for “you” and “our” for “your.”
The Invitatory and Psalter
All stand
OfficiantO God, make speed to save us.
PeopleO Lord, make haste to help us.
Officiant and People
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
The following, or some other suitable hymn, or an Invitatory Psalm, may be sung or said
O Gracious Light
Phos hilaron
O gracious Light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of life, and to be glorified through all the worlds.
Then follows
The Psalm or Psalms Appointed
89
Part I
Misericordias DominiBCP p. 7131Your love, O Lord, for ever will I sing; *from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.
2For I am persuaded that your love is established for ever; *you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens.
3“I have made a covenant with my chosen one; *I have sworn an oath to David my servant:
4‘I will establish your line for ever, *and preserve your throne for all generations.’”
5The heavens bear witness to your wonders, O Lord, *and to your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones;
6For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? *who is like the Lord among the gods?
7God is much to be feared in the council of the holy ones, *great and terrible to all those round about him.
8Who is like you, Lord God of hosts? *O mighty Lord, your faithfulness is all around you.
9You rule the raging of the sea *and still the surging of its waves.
10You have crushed Rahab of the deep with a deadly wound; *you have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
11Yours are the heavens; the earth also is yours; *you laid the foundations of the world and all that is in it.
12You have made the north and the south; *Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your Name.
13You have a mighty arm; *strong is your hand and high is your right hand.
14Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne; *love and truth go before your face.
15Happy are the people who know the festal shout! *they walk, O Lord, in the light of your presence.
16They rejoice daily in your Name; *they are jubilant in your righteousness.
17For you are the glory of their strength, *and by your favor our might is exalted.
18Truly, the Lord is our ruler; *The Holy One of Israel is our King.
At the end of the Psalms is sung or said
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
The Lessons
The First Lesson
Isa. 59:15b-21
A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.
The Word of the Lord.
PeopleThanks be to God.
O
A Song of the Heavenly City
Revelation 21:22-26, 22:1-4
I saw no temple in the city, *for its temple is the God of surpassing strength and the Lamb.
And the city has no need of sun or moon to light it, *for the glory of God shines on it, and its lamp is the Lamb.
By its light the nations shall walk, *and the rulers of the world lay their honor and glory there.
Its gates shall never be shut by day, nor shall there be any night; *into it they will bring the honor and glory of nations.
I saw the clean river of the water of life, bright as crystal, *flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
The tree of life spanned the river, giving fruit every month, *and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of nations.
All curses cease where the throne of God and the Lamb stands, and all servants give worship there; *there they will see God’s face, whose Name shall be on their foreheads.
The Second Lesson
Philippians 2:5-11
The Word of the Lord.
PeopleThanks be to God.
17
The Song of Simeon
Nunc DimittisLuke 2:29-32
Lord, you now have set your servant free *to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten 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 will be for ever. Amen.
The Apostles’ Creed
Officiant and People together, all standing
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Prayers
The People stand or kneel
OfficiantThe Lord be with you.
PeopleAnd also with you.
OfficiantLet us pray.
Officiant and People
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
Then follows one of these sets of Suffrages
A
V.Show us your mercy, O Lord;
R.And grant us your salvation.
V.Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
R.Let your people sing with joy.
V.Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
R.For only in you can we live in safety.
V.Lord, keep this nation under your care;
R.And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
V.Let your way be known upon earth;
R.Your saving health among all nations.
V.Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
R.Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
V.Create in us clean hearts, O God;
R.And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
B
That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of [___________ and] all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.
The Officiant then says one or more of the following Collects
The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Day
December 25
O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Day
December 25
O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Day
December 25
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] 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 our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
First Sunday of Advent
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for Peace
Most holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.
A Collect for Aid against Perils
Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Collect for Protection
O God, the life of all who live, the light of the faithful, the strength of those who labor, and the repose of the dead: We thank you for the blessings of the day that is past, and humbly ask for your protection through the coming night. Bring us in safety to the morning hours; through him who died and rose again for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Collect for the Presence of Christ
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen.
Then, unless the Eucharist or a form of general intercession is to follow, one of these prayers for mission is added
O God and Father of all, whom the whole heavens adore: Let the whole earth also worship you, all nations obey you, all tongues confess and bless you, and men and women everywhere love you and serve you in peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
O God, you manifest in your servants the signs of your presence: Send forth upon us the spirit of love, that in companionship with one another your abounding grace may increase among us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Here may be sung a hymn or anthem.
Authorized intercessions and thanksgivings may follow.
Before the close of the Office one or both of the following may be used
The General Thanksgiving
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
Then may be said
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Officiant may then conclude with one of the following
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.2 Corinthians 13:14
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.Romans 15:13
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.Ephesians 3:20,21