Christmas Night
Prayers are from the Book of Common Prayer 1979 and are provided here to complement, not replace, the Daily Office.
• Opening Sentence
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
• Collect of the Day ~ Christmas
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 Saturdays
God, the source of eternal light: Shed forth your unending day upon us who watch for you, that our lips may praise you, our lives may bless you, and our worship on the morrow give you glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
• For Mission
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.
• 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.
• Carol
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, sings The Sussex Carol (On Christmas Night).
On Christmas night all Christians sing,
to hear the news the angels bring;
On Christmas night all Christians sing,
to hear the news the angels bring;
News of great joy, news of great mirth,
news of our gracious Ruler's birth.
Then why should we on earth be sad,
since our Redeemer made us glad;
Then why should we on earth be sad,
since our Redeemer made us glad;
When from our sin Christ set us free,
all for to gain our liberty.
From out of mystery came the Light,
which made the angels sing this night;
From out of mystery came the Light,
which made the angels sing this night:
"Glory to God and peace to all,
forevermore, Alleluia!"
Music: Sussex Carol Traditional English melody
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