The Fourth Sunday of Advent
23rd December 2018
For services, please see Daily Prayer (Morning), Daily Prayer (Evening) and Holy Communion.
Principal Service
Collect One
Lord,
we beseech thee, give ear to our prayers,
and by thy gracious visitation
lighten the darkness of our hearts
by our Lord Jesus Christ;
who liveth and reigneth with thee
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Collect Two
God our redeemer,
who prepared the blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of your Son:
Grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour,
so we may be ready to greet him
when he comes again as our judge;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Advent Collect
God our redeemer,
who prepared the blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of your Son:
Grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour,
so we may be ready to greet him
when he comes again as our judge;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
This collect is said after the Collect of the day until Christmas Eve.
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 Spirit, now and ever.
The First Reading
The Psalm
The Second Reading
The Gospel Reading
View readingsPost Communion Prayer
Heavenly Father,
you have given us a pledge of eternal redemption.
Grant that we may always eagerly celebrate
the saving mystery of the incarnation of your Son.
We ask this through him whose coming is certain,
whose day draws near,
your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Suggested Hymns
1st Reading Micah 5: 2–5a
194* Earth has many a noble city (vv. 1, 2, 5)
158* God rest you merry, gentlemen
160* Hark! the herald–angels sing
431* Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour
171 O Bethl’hem is a small place
174* O little town of Bethlehem
179* See amid the winter’s snow
197* Songs of thankfulness and praise (omit v. 4)
198* The first Nowell the angel did say (vv. 1, 2, 4, 6)
Canticle for Psalm Magnificat (Luke 1: 47–55) [A3AB/A4B]
704* Mary sang a song, a song of love
712* Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
373* To God be the glory! Great things he has done!
Alternative Psalm Psalm 80: 1–8
695* God of mercy, God of grace
614* Great Shepherd of your people, hear
2nd Reading Hebrews 10: 5–10
400* And now, O Father, mindful of the love
431* Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour
The Gospel Luke 1: 39–45 (46–55)
146* A great and mighty wonder
119* Come, thou long–expected Jesus
470 Let God’s people join in worship
472 Sing we of the blessèd mother
185 Virgin–born, we bow before thee
186 What Adam’s disobedience cost
476* Ye watchers and ye holy ones