Introduction
- Christmas is a 12-day season that begins on December 25. For resources to use in the weeks leading up to Christmas, see “Collects and Readings for Advent.”
- A collect (pronounced “cah· lect”) is a short prayer to unite the thoughts and intentions of God’s gathered people.
- The Collects below are adapted from various editions of the Book of Common Prayer.
- Each Sunday includes an Old Testament reading, Psalm, Epistle, and Gospel reading. Readings on a three-year cycle are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). Readings from the more traditional, one-year lectionary are taken from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer (BCP 1662) with Psalms and an OT readings supplied by the Prayer Book Society of Canada. The first Psalm is the Introit (read/sung as the ministers enter); the second Psalm is the Gradual (read/sung between the Epistle and Gospel).
- To sing the Collects, see “Metrical Collects from the Book of Common Prayer.”
Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day (December 25)
O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] 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 our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
- RCL Proper I: Isaiah 9:2–7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11–14; Luke 2:1–14, (15–20)
- RCL Proper II: Isaiah 62:6–12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4–7; Luke 2:(1–7), 8–20
- RCL Proper III: Isaiah 52:7–10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1–4, (5–12); John 1:1–14
- BCP 1662 I: Proverbs 8:22–31; Psalm 2:7–8; 110:1–4; Hebrews 1:1–12; John 1:1–14
- BCP 1662 II: Micah 5:2–5; Psalm 96:1–4; 98:5–7; Titus 2:11–15; Luke 2:1–14
Visual aids: Collect 1 for the Nativity of the Lord (.jpg); Collect 2 for the Nativity of the Lord (.jpg); Collect 3 for the Nativity of the Lord (.jpg)
First Sunday after Christmas Day
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
- RCL Year A: Isaiah 63:7–9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10–18; Matthew 2:13–23
- RCL Year B: Isaiah 61:10–62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4–7; Luke 2:22–40
- RCL Year C: 1 Samuel 2:18–20, 26; Psalm 148; Colossians 3:12–17; Luke 2:41–52
- BCP 1662: Ruth 4:13–17; Psalm 93; 110:1–4; Galatians 4:1–7; Matthew 1:18–25
Visual aids: Collect for the First Sunday after Christmas Day (.jpg)
The Circumcision and Holy Name of Jesus (January 1)
The eighth day of Christmas marks the circumcision of Christ, at which he was called by the holy name “Jesus” (see Luke 2:21). One or more of the Collects below may be used.
Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Almighty God, you made your blessed Son to be circumcised and obedient to the law for man’s sake: Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit, that our hearts and all our members may be mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts, and that we may in all things obey your blessed will; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, by your blessed Apostle you taught us that there is no other name given among men whereby we must be saved, but only the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Grant that we may ever glory in this Name, and strive to make your salvation known unto all mankind; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Almighty God, your blessed Son fulfilled the covenant of circumcision for our sake, and was given the Name that is above every name: Give us grace to faithfully bear his Name, and to worship him with pure hearts according to the New Covenant; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
- RCL: Numbers 6:22–27; Psalm 8; Galatians 4:4–7 or Philippians 2:5–11; Luke 2:15–21
- BCP 1662: Isaiah 9:2–7; Psalm 8; 145:18–22; Ephesians 2:11–18; Luke 2:15–21
Second Sunday after Christmas Day
O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
- RCL: Jeremiah 31:7–14; Psalm 147:12–20; Ephesians 1:3–14; John 1:(1–9), 10–18
- BCP 1662: Isaiah 9:2–7; Psalm 8; 145:18–22; Ephesians 2:11–18; Luke 2:15–21
Visual aids: Collect for the Second Sunday after Christmas Day (.jpg)
