Principal Service

Almighty God,
who hast poured upon us the new light of thine incarnate Word;
Grant that the same light, enkindled in our hearts,
may shine forth in our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Almighty God,
in the birth of your Son
you have poured on us the new light of your incarnate Word,
and shown us the fullness of your love:
Help us to walk in this light and dwell in his love
that we may know the fullness of his joy;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Light eternal,
you have nourished us in the mystery
of the body and blood of your Son:
By your grace keep us ever faithful to your word,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Eternal God,
in whose sight a thousand years
are like a watch in the night:
guide us now and always,
as you have led us in times past,
that our hearts may learn to choose your will:
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

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

Jeremiah 31: 7–14

*644 – Faithful Shepherd, feed me
*128 – Hills of the north, rejoice
*481 – God is working his purpose out as year succeeds to year
*58 – Morning has broken
*S158 – We shall go out with hope of resurrection

Sirach 24: 1–12

*646 – Glorious things of thee are spoken

Psalm 147: 13–21

*350 – For the beauty of the earth
*581 – I, the Lord of sea and sky
*6 – Immortal, invisible, God only wise
*16 – Like a mighty river flowing

Wisdom 10: 15–21

254 – At the Lamb’s high feast we sing
*643 – Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
262 – Come, ye faithful, raise the strain
*13 – God moves in a mysterious way
*104 – O for a thousand tongues to sing

Ephesians 1: 3–14

*84 – Alleluia! raise the anthem
*642 – Amazing grace (how sweet the sound!)
*189 – As with gladness men of old
257 – Christ is the world’s Redeemer
*S28 – Come, thou fount of every blessing
*352 – Give thanks with a grateful heart
*S41 – Glory to God, the source of all our mission
*481 – God is working his purpose out as year succeeds to year
*99 – Jesus, the name high over all
*652 – Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
*133 – Long ago, prophets knew
49 – Lord, bring the day to pass
*524 – May the grace of Christ our Saviour
232 – Nature with open volume stands
*33 – O Lord of every shining constellation
*363 – O Lord of heaven and earth and sea
175 – Of the Father’s heart begotten
*S123 – See him lying on a bed of straw
*313 – The Spirit came, as promised
9 – There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
*373 – To God be the glory!
451 – We come as guests invited

John 1: (1–9), 10–18

*146 – A great and mighty wonder
*84 – Alleluia! raise the anthem
*11 – Can we by searching find out God
87 – Christ is the world’s Light, he and none other
*259 – Christ triumphant, ever reigning
*52 – Christ, whose glory fills the skies
*297 – Come, thou Holy Spirit, come
*263 – Crown him with many crowns
410 – Dearest Jesus, at your word (Dearest Jesus, we are here)
*319 – Father of heaven, whose love profound
*381 – God hath spoken – by his prophets
123 – God the Father sends his angel
*160 – Hark! the herald–angels sing
*128 – Hills of the north, rejoice
*6 – Immortal, invisible, God only wise
*94 – In the name of Jesus
*S72 – Jesus is King and I will extol him
*96 – Jesus is Lord! Creation’s voice proclaims it
*427 – Let all mortal flesh keep silence
*195 – Lord, the light of your love is shining
*170 – Love came down at Christmas
*634 – Love divine, all loves excelling
*228 – Meekness and majesty
*172 – Adests fideles (O come, all ye faithful)
214 – O Love, how deep, how broad, how high!
70 – O Strength and Stay, upholding all creation
175 – Of the Father’s heart begotten
*177 – Once in royal David’s city
*182 – Silent night, holy night
*387 – Thanks to God, whose Word was spoken
*202 – What child is this, who, laid to rest
144 – Word of justice, alleluia
*476 – Ye watchers and ye holy ones
*S174 – Your words to me are life and health

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: