Today Is: First Sunday after Christmas

Collect for: First Sunday After Christmas
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 for ever. Amen.

Old Testament
Isaiah 61:10-11, 1-3

10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its bud, As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

1 For Zion's sake I will not hold My peace, And for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, And her salvation as a lamp that burns. 2 The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the LORD will name. 3 You shall also be a crown of glory In the hand of the LORD, And a royal diadem In the hand of your God.

Officiant: The Word of the Lord.
The People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm
Psalm 148

6 He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away. 7 Praise the LORD from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths;
Let all God's creation give praise for the Lord.

8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word; 9 Mountains and all hills; Fruitful trees and all cedars;
Let all God's creation give praise for the Lord.

10 Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and flying fowl; 11 Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth;
Let all God's creation give praise for the Lord.

12 Both young men and maidens; Old men and children. 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven.
Let all God's creation give praise for the Lord.

14 And He has exalted the horn of His people, The praise of all His saints -- Of the children of Israel, A people near to Him. Praise the LORD!

*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
Galatians 4:4-7

4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!' 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Officiant: The Word of the Lord.
The People: Thanks be to God.

Gospel
Luke 2:22-32

Introduction to the Gospel:
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 Luke.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from Luke's Gospel chapter 2, beginning at verse 22.

22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, 'Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD'), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, 'A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.' 25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 29 Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.'

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

Prayers of the People for: First Sunday after Christmas

Brothers and sisters, since we are no longer slaves to this world but children of God, let us go to Him with our needs and the needs of the whole world.

That the Church will be the light of the world and the salt of the earth.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That the Persecuted Church will be delivered from their oppressors.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That Governments will uphold the institution of marriage as the union between one man and one woman.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That the eyes of the world, like those of Simeon, will be opened to see the Salvation that God has provided in Jesus.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That the poor, the homeless, the stranger and the imprisoned will be care for by God's people.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That all those who have had any role in abortions will repent and receive the mercy and forgiveness of God.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For our own special intentions.(Pause)
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

God of Salvation, You have called us out of darkness into Your marvelous light.
Hear our prayer and give us the grace to follow the leading of Your Holy Spirit.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.AMEN