Daily Morning Prayer:
Rite Two
December 25, 2024
Christmas Day
The Officiant begins the service with one or more of these sentences of Scripture, or with the versicle “Lord, open our lips.”
Christmas
Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy, which will come to all the people; for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.Luke 2:10, 11
Christmas
Behold, the dwelling of God is with mankind. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them, and be their God.Revelation 21:3
The following Confession of Sin may then be said; or the Office may continue at once with “Lord, open our lips.”
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
OfficiantLord, open our lips.
PeopleAnd our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
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.
Then follows one of the Invitatory Psalms, Venite or Jubilate.
Venite
Psalm 95:1-7
Come, let us sing to the Lord; *let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God, *and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *and the heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it, *and his hands have molded the dry land.
Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
95
Venite, exultemusBCP p. 7241Come, let us sing to the Lord; *let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
2Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
3For the Lord is a great God, *and a great King above all gods.
4In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *and the heights of the hills are his also.
5The sea is his, for he made it, *and his hands have molded the dry land.
6Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
8Harden not your hearts, as your forebears did in the wilderness, *at Meribah, and on that day at Massah, when they tempted me.
9They put me to the test, *though they had seen my works.
10Forty years long I detested that generation and said, *“This people are wayward in their hearts; they do not know my ways.”
11So I swore in my wrath, *“They shall not enter into my rest.”
Jubilate
Psalm 100
Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.
Know this: The Lord himself is God; *he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; *give thanks to him and call upon his Name.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; *and his faithfulness endures from age to age.
Then follows
The Psalm or Psalms Appointed
2
Quare fremuerunt gentes?BCP p. 5861Why are the nations in an uproar? *Why do the peoples mutter empty threats?
2Why do the kings of the earth rise up in revolt, and the princes plot together, *against the Lord and against his Anointed?
3“Let us break their yoke,” they say; *“let us cast off their bonds from us.”
4He whose throne is in heaven is laughing; *the Lord has them in derision.
5Then he speaks to them in his wrath, *and his rage fills them with terror.
6“I myself have set my king *upon my holy hill of Zion.”
7Let me announce the decree of the Lord: *he said to me, “You are my Son; this day have I begotten you.
8Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance *and the ends of the earth for your possession.
9You shall crush them with an iron rod *and shatter them like a piece of pottery.”
10And now, you kings, be wise; *be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11Submit to the Lord with fear, *and with trembling bow before him;
12Lest he be angry and you perish; *for his wrath is quickly kindled.
85
Benedixisti, DomineBCP p. 7081You have been gracious to your land, O Lord, *you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.
2You have forgiven the iniquity of your people *and blotted out all their sins.
3You have withdrawn all your fury *and turned yourself from your wrathful indignation.
4Restore us then, O God our Savior; *let your anger depart from us.
5Will you be displeased with us for ever? *will you prolong your anger from age to age?
6Will you not give us life again, *that your people may rejoice in you?
7Show us your mercy, O Lord, *and grant us your salvation.
8I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, *for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him.
9Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, *that his glory may dwell in our land.
10Mercy and truth have met together; *righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11Truth shall spring up from the earth, *and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12The Lord will indeed grant prosperity, *and our land will yield its increase.
13Righteousness shall go before him, *and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.
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
Zech. 2:10-13
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The Word of the Lord.
PeopleThanks be to God.
16
The Song of Zechariah
Benedictus Dominus DeusLuke 1: 68-79
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, *from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers *and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship him without fear, *holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation *by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
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 will be for ever. Amen.
The Second Lesson
1 John 4:7-16
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The Word of the Lord.
PeopleThanks be to God.
11
The Third Song of Isaiah
Surge, illuminareIsaiah 60:1-3, 11a, 14c, 18-19
Arise, shine, for your light has come, *and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.
For behold, darkness covers the land; *deep gloom enshrouds the peoples.
But over you the Lord will rise, *and his glory will appear upon you.
Nations will stream to your light, *and kings to the brightness of your dawning.
Your gates will always be open; *by day or night they will never be shut.
They will call you, The City of the Lord, *The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Violence will no more be heard in your land, *ruin or destruction within your borders.
You will call your walls, Salvation, *and all your portals, Praise.
The sun will no more be your light by day; *by night you will not need the brightness of the moon.
The Lord will be your everlasting light, *and 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 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
B
V.Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;
R.Govern and uphold them, now and always.
V.Day by day we bless you;
R.We praise your name for ever.
V.Lord, keep us from all sin today;
R.Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
V.Lord, show us your love and mercy;
R.For we put our trust in you.
V.In you, Lord, is our hope;
R.And we shall never hope in vain.
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.
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.
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Collect for Peace
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Collect for Grace
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Collect for Guidance
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then, unless the Eucharist or a form of general intercession is to follow, one of these prayers for mission is added
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. 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