day, add: ceive Thine Only-begotten | ¶ If the Vigil falls on Sunfor our Redeemer; so we may with sure confidence behold Him, when He shall come to be our Judge, Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord. Who liveth. Only this Collect is said. EPISTLE. Romans i. 1. PAUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, which He had promised afore by His prophets in the holy scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, Which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: by Whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His Name: among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ. GRADUAL. To-day at even ye shall know that the Lord will come and save you: and in the morning ye shall see His glory. Ex. xvi. 6. V. Hear, O Thou Shepherd of Israel Thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep. Shew Thyself, Thou that sittest upon the Cherubim, before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasses. Ps. lxxx. 1. Alleluia, alleluia. V. Toearth shall be done away: morrow the iniquity of the and the Saviour of the world shall reign over us. Alleluia. GOSPEL. St. Matthew i. 18 to verse 22. See the Sunday after Christmas Day, page 153. OFFERTORY. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors: and the King of glory shall come in. Ps. xxiv. 7. SECRET. GRANT, we beseech Thee, almighty God: that as we are about to celebrate the worshipful Nativity of Thy Son, so we may evermore joyfully receive His everlasting gifts. Through the same. of the Lord shall be revealed: COMMUNION. The glory and all flesh shall see the salvation of our God. Isa. xl. 5. POSTCOMMUNION. GRANT, O Lord, we be seech Thee: that we may be refreshed again by the observance of the Birth of Thine Only-begotten Son; by Whose heavenly Mysteries, we are given both food and drink. Through the same. The Nativity of our Lord, COMMONLY CALLED Christmas Day. GOD, Who hast made this most holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: grant, we beseech Thee; that as we have known the mysteries of this Light on earth, so we may have the fruition of the joys thereof in heaven. Who liveth. EPISTLE. St. Titus ii. II. THE grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself (a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort in Christ Jesus our Lord. GRADUAL. In the day of Thy power shall the people offer Thee free-will offerings with an holy worship: the dew of Thy birth is of the womb of the morning. V. The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit Thou on My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool. Ps. cx. 3. Alleluia, alleluia. V. The Lord said unto Me: Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee. Alleluia. Ps. ii. 7. GOSPEL. St. Luke ii. 1. AND it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David; to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of them: the Lord came upon shone round about them: and Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and say ing: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. The Creed. OFFERTORY. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad before the Lord that He is come. Ps. xcvi. II. SECRET. O LORD, we beseech Thee, let our oblation be accepted by Thee on this Feast-day: that, by the gift of Thy grace, through the intercourse of these most sacred Mysteries, we may be found in the likeness of Him, in Whom our nature hath been united with Thee, even Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord. Who liveth. PROPER PREFACE, page 68. COMMUNION. In the beauty of holiness from the womb of the morning have I begotten Thee. Ps. cx. 3. POSTCOMMUNION. GRANT, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that we who rejoice to keep the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ: may be counted worthy, by a holy conversation of life, to attain unto His fellowship. Who liveth. ¶ At Dawn. INTROIT. Lux fulgebit. HE light shall shine upon THE us to-day; for unto us is born the Lord: and He shall be called Wonderful, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace, the everlasting Father; and of His kingdom there shall be no end. Is. ix. 6. PSALM. The Lord is King, and hath put on glorious apparel the Lord hath put on His apparel, and girded Himself with strength (xciii. 1). Glory. The light. COLLECT. verse 21, "As it was told unto them." See Feast of the Circumcision, page 155, THE CREED. OFFERTORY. God hath sure, that it cannot be moved: ever since the world began hath Thy seat, O God, been prepared, Thou art from everlasting. Ps. xciii. 2. GRANT, we beseech Thee, made the round world so almighty God, that we, apon whom is poured forth the new light of the Word made Flesh: may shine by this Light in our works, Which already shineth in our hearts. Through the same. EPISTLE. St. Titus iii. 4. SECRET. LORD, we pray Thee, let these our gifts wor thily celebrate the Mysteries of this present birthday : that as He Who was born Man hath also the glory of very God; so these earthly elements may make us partakers of that which is divine. Through the same. COMMUNION. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold thy King cometh unto thee, He is just, and the Saviour of the world. Zech. ix. 9. POSTCOMMUNION. WE beseech Thee, O Lord, that the renewal of this Sacrament on this birthday feast may give us newness of life: by Whose wondrous Nativity the old man hath been cast away from us. Through the same. ¶In the Day. INTROIT. Puer natus. upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor. Is. ix. 6. PSALM. O sing unto the Lord a new song for He hath done marvellous things (xcviii. 1.) Glory. Unto us. COLLECT. ALMIGHTY God, Who hast given us Thy Onlybegotten 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. R. Amen. EPISTLE. Hebrews i. 1. GOD, Who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His Person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained more excellent name than they. For unto which of the a | angels said He at any time: oil of gladness above_Thy foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands: they shall perish, but Thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt Thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail. GRADUAL. All the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God: shew yourselves joyful unto the Lord, all ye lands. V. The Lord declared His salvation : His righteousness hath He openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. Ps. xcviii. 3. Alleluia, alleluia. V. A hallowed day hath enlightened us: come, ye Gentiles, |