Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Old Testament
Isaiah 7:10-17
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm
Psalm
80
Salvation awaits for the people of God
3 Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved! 4 O LORD God of hosts, How long will You be angry Against the prayer of Your people?
Salvation awaits for the people of God
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears, And given them tears to drink in great measure. 6 You have made us a strife to our neighbors, And our enemies laugh among themselves.
Salvation awaits for the people of God
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved! 8 You have brought a vine out of Egypt; You have cast out the nations, and planted it.
Salvation awaits for the people of God
9 You prepared room for it, And caused it to take deep root, And it filled the land.
Salvation awaits for the people of God
*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
Romans 1:1-7
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel
Matthew 1:18-25
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 1, beginning at verse 18.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.' 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,' which is translated, 'God with us.' 24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.
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, confident that God is with us, let us bring our needs and those of the whole world before the God of all.
That the Church, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, will proclaim the coming of Christ in word and deed.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That nations will bring about conditions where peace and goodwill will flourish.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That following St. Joseph's example, all fathers will be strengthened in love for their wives and their children.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those who are sick will be filled with Christ's healing presence.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those who suffer loneliness, discrimination or depression will sense God's abiding presences with them and have His peace.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That we, who are baptized into Christ, will be drawn deeper into our relationship with Him, readying ourselves for His return.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For our own special intentions. (Pause)
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
God of peace, Joseph and Mary responded to Your Will by embracing Your plan of salvation. Hear our prayer and give us the grace to desire to do Your Will above all else. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN