Evening Prayer Readings
Christmas Eve

The First Lesson
The Second Lesson
The Collect
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The Psalter


Psalm 85


The Eighty-Fifth Psalm

Benedixisti, Domine.


LORD, thou art become gracious unto thy land; * thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.
 
Thou hast forgiven the offence of thy people, * and covered all their sins.
 
Thou hast taken away all thy displeasure, * and turned thyself from thy wrathful indignation.
 
Turn us then, O God our Saviour, * and let thine anger cease from us.
 
Wilt thou be displeased at us for ever? * and wilt thou stretch out thy wrath from one generation to another?
 
Wilt thou not turn again, and quicken us, * that thy people may rejoice in thee?
 
Show us thy mercy, O LORD, * and grant us thy salvation.
 
I will hearken what the LORD God will say; * for he shall speak peace unto his people, and to his saints, that they turn not again unto foolishness.
 
For his salvation is nigh them that fear him; * that glory may dwell in our land.
 
Mercy and truth are met together: * righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
 
Truth shall flourish out of the earth, * and righteousness hath looked down from heaven.
 
Yea, the LORD shall show loving-kindness; * and our land shall give her increase.
 
Righteousness shall go before him, * and shall direct his going in the way.



 

The First Lesson


Zechariah 2:10-13


Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee. And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again. Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.



 

The Second Lesson

St. Matthew 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: 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. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.



 

The Collect

The Fourth Sunday in Advent

O LORD, raise up, we pray thee, thy power, and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

The First Sunday in Advent
(to be said throughout Advent)

ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.



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