Christmas II

Collect:
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.

First Lesson: Isaiah 62:6-7,10-12
I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;
they will never be silent day or night.
You who call on the LORD,
give yourselves no rest,

and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem
and makes her the praise of the earth.

10Pass through, pass through the gates!
Prepare the way for the people.
Build up, build up the highway!
Remove the stones.
Raise a banner for the nations.

The LORD has made proclamation
to the ends of the earth:
"Say to the Daughter of Zion,
`See, your Savior comes!
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.' "

They will be called the Holy People,
the Redeemed of the LORD;
and you will be called Sought After,
the City No Longer Deserted.

Second Lesson: Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Psalm: 97

  1. The LORD is King;
    let the earth rejoice; *
    let the multitude of the isles be glad.
  2. Clouds and darkness are round about him, *
    righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne.
  3. A fire goes before him *
    and burns up his enemies on every side.
  4. His lightnings light up the world; *
    the earth sees it and is afraid.
  5. The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, *
    at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
  6. The heavens declare his righteousness, *
    and all the peoples see his glory.
  7. Confounded be all who worship carved images
    and delight in false gods! *
    Bow down before him, all you gods.
  8. Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice, *
    because of your judgments, O LORD.
  9. For you are the LORD,
    most high over all the earth; *
    you are exalted far above all gods.
  10. The LORD loves those who hate evil;
    he preserves the lives of his saints
    and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
  11. Light has sprung up for the righteous, *
    and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted.
  12. Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, *
    and give thanks to his holy Name.

Gospel: Luke 2:(1-14)15-20
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Collect & Psalm from the Book of Common Prayer
Other excerpts from the New International Bible