You are invited to say the text in bold in English.
ORDER OF SERVICE
The Nativity of our Lord
Hymn
O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant;
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him
Born the King of angels:
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
God of God,
Light of Light,
Lo! he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;
Very God,
Begotten, not created:
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
See how the Shepherds,
Summoned to his cradle,
Leaving their flocks draw nigh with lowly fear;
We too will thither
Bend our joyful footsteps:
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of Angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
Glory to God
In the highest:
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesu! to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing:
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Latin, tr. Frederick Oakley (1802–80)
John Wade (1711–1786)
The Gathering of God’s People
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The lighting of the CHRISTMAS CANDLE
Almighty God, today the long-expected Saviour is born, and those who live in darkness are seeing a great light: help us to live in this light and to share the good news of your love. Glory to God in the highest! Glory to God in the highest!
The COLLECT FOR PURITY
Almighty God to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name: through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The KYRIE
Lord, you send your eternal light into the world; but so often we choose to remain in darkness. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
You show your love for us by sending your Son into the world; but so often we do not love one another. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
You offer us the privilege of becoming your children; but so often we do not recognise Jesus or receive him as Saviour and Lord. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
The Celebrant pronounces the
ABSOLUTION
The Choir sings the canticle
GLORIA IN EXCELSIS
The Celebrant intones the
COLLECT OF THE DAY
Almighty God, you have given us your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin: grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROCLAIMING AND RECEIVING THE WORD
Please be seated for the
Titus 2: 11–14
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Choir sings the
GRADUAL
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day: I would my true love did so chance to see the legend of my play, to call my true love to my dance: Sing O my love, O my love, my love, my love; this have I done for my true love. Then was I born of a virgin pure, of her I took fleshly substance; thus was I knit to man’s nature, to call my true love to my dance: In a manger laid and wrapped I was, so very poor this was my chance, betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass, to call my true love to my dance:
Trad. arr. Stuart Nicholson (b.1975)
Please stand for the
Gospel
The Deacon and the Choir sing
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Hear the Gospel of our Saviour Christ according to Saint Luke, in the second chapter, beginning at the first verse.
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’
The Deacon and the Choir sing
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Please be seated for the
Sermon
Preacher: The Very Reverend W. W. Morton, B.Th., M.A., Ph.D., M.Mus., D. Litt.
Please stand to say the
Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Prayers of the People
The Leader says
Let us pray.
Please kneel or sit according to your custom
Each petition ends
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
The prayers may conclude
Merciful Father, accept these our prayers for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Please stand for
The Peace
The Celebrant introduces the Peace and says
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Please remain standing to sing
The Offertory Hymn
During this hymn a collection of money is made for charity. If you would like to donate online, click here.
God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day,
To save us all from Satan’s power
When we were gone astray:
O tidings of comfort and joy.
From God our heavenly Father
A blessèd angel came,
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same,
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name:
O tidings of comfort and joy.
And when they came to Bethlehem,
Where our dear Saviour lay,
They found him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His mother, Mary, kneeling down,
Unto the Lord did pray:
O tidings of comfort and joy.
Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All others doth efface:
O tidings of comfort and joy.
Traditional
English traditional carol, arr. David Willcocks (1919-2015)
CELEBRATING AT THE LORD’S TABLE
Please remain standing
The Celebrant and Choir sing
The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
The Celebrant intones the
PREFACE
concluding
Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and singing:
The Choir sings
Sanctus & Benedictus
Sanctus Dominus, Deus Sabaoth,
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.
Hosanna in excelsis.
Benedictus qui venit
in nomine Domine.
Hosanna in excelsis.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Please remain standing as the
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
continues, concluding
… through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom and in whom, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we worship you, Father almighty, in songs of never-ending praise:
The Choir sings
Blessing and honour and glory and power are yours for ever and ever. Amen.
The Celebrant invites the People to pray
The LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.
The Celebrant breaks the bread and says
The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.
We, being many, are one body, for we all share in the one bread.
The Choir sings
AGNUS DEI
Agnus Dei qui tollis
peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei qui tollis
peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.
O Lamb of God who takes away
the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
O Lamb of God who takes away
the sins of the world, give us your peace.
The Celebrant invites the People to receive Communion.
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland, a member church of the Anglican (Episcopalian) Communion. Members of all Christian Church denominations are welcome to receive Holy Communion here.
Holy Communion will be distributed at the crossing and in the nave.
You will be directed to your appropriate location: please follow the stewards’ directions.
While the People receive Communion the Choir sings the
MOTETS
What sweeter music can we bring than a carol, for to sing the birth of this our heavenly King?Awake the voice! Awake the string: We see him come, and know him ours, who with his sunshine and his showers turns all the patient ground to flowers. Dark and dull night fly hence away, and give the honour to this day that sees December turned to May. The Darling of the world is come, and fit it is we find a room to welcome him. The nobler part of all the house here is the heart: Which we will give him, and bequeath this holly and this ivy wreath, to do him honour who’s our King, and Lord of all this revelling:
John Rutter (b.1945)
We stood on the hills, Lady, our day’s work done, watching the frosted meadows that winter had won. The evening was calm, Lady, the air so still, silence more lovely than music folded the hill. There was a star, Lady, shone in the night, larger than Venus it was and bright, so bright. Oh, a voice from the sky, Lady, it seemed to us then telling of God being born, in the world of men. And so we have come, Lady, our day’s work done, our love, our hopes, ourselves, we give to your Son.
Bob Chilcott (b.1955)
GOING OUT AS GOD’S PEOPLE
When all have received Communion, the Celebrant says
Let us pray.
Please kneel
The seasonal POST-COMMUNION PRAYER is said, and this prayer
Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.
Please stand to sing
HYMN
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled:
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem:
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King.
Christ by highest heaven adored!
Christ, the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb!
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail, the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel:
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King.
Hail the heaven-born Prince of peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.
Mild, he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth:
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King.
Charles Wesley (1707–88)
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809–47)
The Celebrant says the
BLESSING
After which, all say Amen.
The Minister and Choir sing the
DISMISSAL
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
In order to allow Cathedral staff to join their families on Christmas Day, please note that the Cathedral closes immediately after the Service.