MORNING PRAYER

FOR

CHRISTMAS DAY.

The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

This Service is arranged to precede the Christmas Celebration of the Holy Communion, if it be so desired. The Minister shall begin the service by reverently reciting these sentences :

Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the Government shall be upon His shoulder: And His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Antiphon.

Minister alone.

Lo! the Blessed Maid of Nazareth Hath brought to us our King, Whose Name is Everlasting. Shepherds! tell us now what did ye see? Declare it truly, Who hath appeared on Earth? The Shepherds answer, It is the Lord!

The angel cried unto us, Behold, this day is born your Saviour!

And there, in a lowly manger, we saw
A new-born Babe,

The Child, Who is our Lord, our Saviour,
And our God.

Then shall Minister and Congregation sing
Adeste Fideles.

O come all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,

Born the King of Angels,

O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

Sing Choirs of Angels,

Sing in exultation,

Sing all ye citizens of Heaven above;
Glory to God

In the highest,

O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
Jesu, to Thee, all glory be given;
Word of the Father,

Now in flesh appearing,

O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

Then shall the Minister read the Story of our Saviour's Birth, saying, The Lesson is taken from the Second Chapter of the Gospel according to St. Luke; and at the close, Here endeth the Lesson.

The Lesson,