THE FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS
Unto us is born a son,
King of choirs supernal:
See on earth his life begun,
Of lords the Lord eternal.
Christ, from heav'n descending low,
Comes on earth a stranger;
Ox and ass their Owner know
E'en cradled in a manger.
This did Herod sore affray,
And grievously bewilder,
So he gave the word to slay,
And slew the little childer.
Of his love and mercy mild
Hear the Christmas story:
O that Mary's gentle Child
Might lead us up to glory!
O and A and A and O,
Cantemus in choro
Voice and organ, sing we so,
Benedicamus Domino
Conrad von Soest
The collect for the First Sunday of Christmas
Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us through your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share in our humanity, so we may share the life of his divinity; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
First reading: Isaiah 63.7–9 I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, because of all that the Lord has done for us, and the great favour to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. For he said, ‘Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely’; and he became their saviour in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
Second reading: Hebrews 2.10–18 It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, ‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.’ And again, 'I will put my trust in him.’ And again, ‘Here am I and the children whom God has given me.’ Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
The Gospel: St. Matthew 2: 13-23
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’
Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’
When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men.
Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’
When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.’
Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there.
And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He will be called a Nazorean.’
Flight into Egypt: John Swanson
Having been refused hospitality in Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary now find themselves to be refugees, fleeing to Egypt to protect the life of their infant child. After the cosiness of our Christmas celebrations, we are all too rapidly brought back to reality as we think of the many displaced people around the globe today. Our Christian belief does not blind us to the evils in the world but it does give us the Faith that there is a loving God who will guide us out of our difficulties if we will but hear his voice.
Lord Jesus, at this time we can look back to the old year, and forward to the new. We give thanks for the blessings of the past year, and we place into your hands our regrets and failures. As you are “the Light of the world”, take away the darkness in our lives. As you are “the Way”, lead us in the year ahead. As you are “the gate of the sheepfold”, protect us from danger. We entrust the past to your mercy, Lord, the present to your love, and the future to your providence. Amen.
The Flight into Egypt: Duccio
Heavenly Father, we continue to pray for all whose lives have been shattered by violence and war. Surround them with your Love and give them the Hope that Peace will in time be restored.
We pray for the leaders of the world that they may work tirelessly to bring aggression to an end. We bring before you all who are risking their lives to assist the victims of war.
We pray for those who are unwell or in distress that they may feel the loving presence of the Holy Spirit. We pray for ........................................................... and for all known to ourselves who are living with anxiety, ill health or loneliness.…. We pray, Father, that they may know your compassionate presence and find in it a source of renewed strength.
We pray for those who have departed this life and are now in the fullness of God's presence. We ask you to be with the bereaved that they may find new strength and reassurance.
‘I said to the man who stood at the gate of the Year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way.’
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Prayer from Archbishop Hosam Naoum of Jerusalem
O God of all justice and peace we cry out to you in the midst of pain and trauma of violence and fear which prevails in the Holy Land.
Be with those who need you in these days of suffering; we pray for people of all faiths – Jews, Muslims and Christians and for all the people of the land.
While we pray to you, O Lord, for an end to violence and the establishment of peace, we also call for you to bring justice and equity to the peoples.
Guide us into your kingdom where all people are treated with dignity and honour as your children, for to all of us you are our Heavenly Father. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
A PRAYER FOR UKRAINE
Lord, you promise us a future in which the weapons of war will be transformed into instruments of peace.
Today is not such a day, as missiles rain down on Ukraine and innocent people take refuge underground..
You taught us to pray your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven,
and so we pray that you will restrain the aggressor, grant courage and wisdom to the resistance, and bring peace to this part of your world.
Look with mercy on the peoples of Ukraine and Russia, and grant our leaders wisdom and courage to seek a resolution that will allow truth and freedom to return to these lands.
Grant Lord, that through this conflict that we would have unimaginable four years ago, we may recognise anew our need for you, and live to thank you for answering our prayers.
Amen