O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Old Testament
Isaiah 60:1-6
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm
Psalm
72
*At the end of the Psalms this is sung or said Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
New Testament
Ephesians 3:1-12
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel
Matthew 2:1-12
Deacon:The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you. Or And with your spirit
Deacon: May the Lord be on our minds, on our lips, and on our hearts as we hear His Holy Gospel. The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from Matthew's Gospel chapter 2, beginning at verse 1.
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.' 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, 'In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.' ' 7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.' 9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
After the Gospel reading, the deacon elevates the book and says:
Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, Lord Christ.
Prayers of the People
Brothers and sisters, since Jesus, the Light of the world, has come to us and has given us access to the Father, let us offer our petitions to Him who is able to meet all our needs.
That the Church will make known the mystery and Glory of the Lord to all nations.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That the nations, like the Magi, will recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the Savior of the whole world.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those who hold political office will uphold the dignity of every human life, from conception to natural death.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That we will use the Gifts God has given us for the common good and the furthering of His Kingdom.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those who are enslaved by any addictions will experience the freedom God has given us in Christ Jesus.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those who defend us at home and abroad will be protected by God's grace.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That throughout this New Year we will use our time, treasure and talents to glorify God.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
King of Kings and Lord of Lords, You entered Your creation to save us for Yourself.
Hear our prayer, deepen our faith and grant us Your peace.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN