The Introits, Collects, etc. Christmas Eve and Day

Christmastide

The Nativity of our Lord,

or the Birthday of Christ, commonly called Christmas-day.

Antiphons for the Psalms at Evensong and Matins

1. Whom saw ye, O shepherds? Speak! Tell us! Give us the tidings; who is this that hath appeared on earth? * we beheld a new-born Child, and choirs of Angels shouting allegiance to him as Lord, Alleluia, Alleluia!

2. Lo, a maiden hath borne the Monarch whose Name is everlasting: she hath both the joy of a mother and honor of a virgin: * before her hath none been seen like her, nor shall there be after, Alleluia!

3. The Angel said unto the shepherds: behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy: * for unto you is born this day the Savior of the world, Alleluia!

4. There was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts, praising God and saying: * Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good-will, Alleluia!

5. Unto us this day a Child is born, a Son is given: * and his Name shall be The Mighty God, Alleluia! Alleluia!

Matins on the Eve

The Antiphon for the Benedictus

Mary the Mother of Jesus was espoused unto Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child: * for that which was conceived in her was of the Holy Ghost, Alleluia!

Mass on the Eve

If a lesson is desired the Sarum lectionary appoints Isa 62:1-4

The Epistle Rom. i. 1-6

Brethren, 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 our Lord.

The Gospel Matt. i. 18-21

At that time, when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

At 1st Evensong

The Psalms Appointed

85

The Reading

Micah 5:2–7 & Luke 1:57 unto the end

The Antiphon for the Magnificat

Or ever the sun be risen, ye shall see the King of kings, * proceeding from the Father, as a bridegroom out of his chamber.

At Matins

Invitatory From Psalms xlv. lxxxix. ect.

Thy seat, O God, endureth for ever; the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity ; wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

My song shall be alway of the loving kindness of the Lord; with my mouth will I ever be shewing thy truth, from one generation to another.

For I have said, mercy shall be set up for ever ; thy truth shalt thou stablish in the heavens.

The Lord is our defence, the holy one of Israel is our king.

Thou spakest sometime in visions unto thy saints, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty, I have exalted one chosen out of the people.

I will set his dominion in the sea, and his right hand in the floods.

And I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.

The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion ; be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine enemies.

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.

The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedech.

The Psalms Appointed

19, 45, & 85

The Readings

Isa. 9:2–7  & Luke 2:1–20

The Antiphon for the Benedictus

Glory to God in the highest: * and in earth peace to men of good will, alleluia, alleluia.

At the First or Midnight Communion

The Introit Psalm 98. Cantate Domino.

O SING unto the LORD a new song; * for he hath done marvellous things.
    2 With his own right hand, and with his holy arm, * hath he gotten himself the victory.
    3 The LORD declared his salvation; * his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen.
    4 He hath remembered his mercy and truth toward the house of Israel; * and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God.

   5 Show yourselves joyful unto the LORD, all ye lands; * sing, rejoice, and give thanks.
    6 Praise the LORD upon the harp; * sing to the harp with a psalm of thanksgiving.
    7 With trumpets also and shawms, * O show yourselves joyful before the LORD, the King.
    8 Let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is; * the round world, and they that dwell therein.
    9 Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the LORD; * for he is come to judge the earth.
    10 With righteousness shall he judge the world, * and the peoples with equity.

The Collect.

O GOD, who makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thine only Son Jesus Christ; Grant that as we joyfully receive him for our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our Judge, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world with out end. Amen. 

If a lesson is desired the Sarum lectionary appoints Isa 9:2,6,7

The Epistle. Titus ii. 11.

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, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

The 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 de livered. 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 the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, be hold, 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 saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

For the Second or Dawn Communion

If a lesson is desired the Sarum lectionary appoints Isa 61:1-3 & 62:11,12

The Epistle Titus iii 4-7

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

The Gospel Luke ii 15-20

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

For the Third or Principal Communion

The Introit Psalm 8. Domine, Dominus noster.

O LORD our Governor, how excellent is thy Name in all the world; * thou that hast set thy glory above the heavens!
    2 Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength, because of thine enemies, * that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I consider thy heavens, even the work of thy fingers; * the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained;
    4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? * and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
    5 Thou madest him lower than the angels, * to crown him with glory and worship.
    6 Thou makest him to have dominion of the works of thy hands; * and thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet:
    7 All sheep and oxen; * yea, and the beasts of the field;
    8 The fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea; * and whatsoever walketh through the paths of the seas.
    9 O LORD our Governor, * how excellent is thy Name in all the world!

The Collect.

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. Amen.

¶ This Collect to be said daily throughout the Octave.

If a lesson is desired the Sarum lectionary appoints Isa 52:6-10

The Epistle. Heb. 1. 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 up holding 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 an gels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; there-fore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. And, Thou. Lord, in the beginning hast laid the 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.

The Gradual Ps 98:5-6

5 Show yourselves joyful unto the Lord, all ye lands: * sing, rejoice, and give thanks.
6 Praise the Lord upon the harp: * sing to the harp with a psalm of thanksgiving.

The Alleluia Ps 98:7

Alleluia! Alleluia! With trumpets also, and the sound of the horn, * O show yourselves joyful before the Lord, the King. Alleluia!

The Gospel. St. John i. 1.

IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to be come the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

At 2nd Evensong

The Psalms Appointed

89, 110 & 132

The Reading

Isa. 7:10–16 & Titus 2:11–3:7

The Antiphon for the Magnificat

Today the Christ is born: today hath a Savior appeared: today on earth Angels are singing, Archangels rejoicing: * today the righteous exult, and say: Glory to God in the highest, alleluia.