Principal Service – Christmas 1

Almighty God,
who hast given us thy only–begotten Son
to take our nature upon him,
and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin;
Grant that we being regenerate,
and made thy children by adoption and grace,
may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit;
through the same our Lord Jesus Christ,
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit,
ever one God, world without end.

Almighty God,
who wonderfully created us in your own image
and yet more wonderfully restored us
through your Son Jesus Christ:
Grant that, as he came to share in our humanity,
so we may share the life of his divinity;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Heavenly Father,
you have refreshed us with this heavenly sacrament.
As your Son came to live among us,
grant us grace to live our lives,
united in love and obedience,
as those who long to live with him in heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God of community,
whose call is more insistent
than ties of family or blood;
may we so respect and love
those whose lives are linked with ours
that we fail not in loyalty to you,
but make choices according to your will;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

An asterisk (*) before the hymn number indicates that the hymn has been recorded for use in public worship by the Recorded Church Music Committee.

1 Samuel 2: 18–20, 26

*717 – May the Lord bless you and keep you

Psalm 148

*682 – All created things, bless the Lord
*24 – All creatures of our God and King
*683 – All people that on earth do dwell
711 – All you heavens, bless the Lord (Surrexit Christus)
*350 – For the beauty of the earth
*S81 – Let all creation dance
705 – New songs of celebration render
*708 – O praise ye the Lord! Praise him in the height
*366 – Praise, my soul, the King of heaven
*709 – Praise the Lord! You heavens, adore him

Colossians 3: 12–17

*346 – Angel voices, ever singing
519 – Come, all who look to Christ today
*294 – Come down, O Love divine
*S28 – Come, thou fount of every blessing
511 – Father of mercy, God of consolation
*550 – Forgive our sins as we forgive’
*454 – Forth in the peace of Christ we go
300 – Holy Spirit, truth divine
*360 – Let all the world in every corner sing
*525 – Let there be love shared among us
*S92 – Lord, make us servants of your peace
*503 – Make me a channel of your peace
*524 – May the grace of Christ our Saviour
*636 – May the mind of Christ my Saviour
*361 – Now thank we all our God
*708 – O praise ye the Lord! Praise him in the height
*443 – Sent forth by God’s blessing, our true faith confessing
*S128 – Sing a song, sing a joyful song
*S129 – Sing, choirs of heaven! Let saints and angels sing
*369 – Songs of praise the angels sang
*601 – Teach me, my God and King
*S158 – We shall go out with hope of resurrection
*374 – When all thy mercies, O my God
*458 – When, in our music, God is glorified
*376 – Ye holy angels bright
*476 – Ye watchers and ye holy ones

Luke 2: 41–52

347 – Children of Jerusalem
*453 – Come to us, creative Spirit
*632 – I love to hear the story
*651 – Jesus, friend of little children
483 – Jesus went to worship
*177 – Once in royal David’s city

Lord God, mighty God, you are the creator of the world. Lord, have mercy.

AllLord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary, you are the Prince of Peace. Christ, have mercy.

AllChrist, have mercy.

Holy Spirit, by your power the Word was made flesh and came to dwell among us. Lord, have mercy.

AllLord, have mercy.

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,
and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

You have given Jesus Christ your only Son to be born of the Virgin Mary,
and through him you have given us power to become the children of God:

Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one all things earthly and heavenly,
fill you with his joy and peace: