our minds to know that you are with us,
open our hearts to the love that you give us.
We give thanks that in Christ you share in our humanity and open for us the gate of glory.
We pray for the church’s work among children, in nurseries, in schools and in church.
We pray for those who seek to proclaim the sacredness of all life.
Give your church the courage to proclaim that you come among us.
God of love, God of glory,
be known among us.
We pray for all who seek to support family life, all who care for homeless or unwanted children, all children taken into care.
We remember the street children of the world and all who are used as cheap labour.
Bless the work of the Children’s Society and the NSPCC.
God of love, God of glory,
be known among us.
We rejoice in the love of our homes.
We pray for all who have enriched our lives by their goodness, all who have accepted us and cared for us.
We pray for all who are separated from loved ones at this time, all who are lonely.
We remember all who will come together for Christmas as families and all who are alone.
God of love, God of glory,
be known among us.
We pray for all who are hungry for acceptance,
who are hungry for love,
all who long to be needed.
We remember all who are in hospital and loved ones who are anxious.
We pray especially for .....................
God of love, God of glory,
be known among us.
Lord God, you came to earth that in your power and love we might ascend into heaven, bless our friends and loved ones who are departed this life with the gift of life and love eternal.
God of love, God of glory,
be known among us.
THE PEACE
Our Lord comes to us in power and in glory.
Our Lord seeks to abide with us always.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.
THE BLESSING
The power and peace of the presence fill your life and your home.
The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. And the blessing ...
Christmas
Christmas Day
Any of these sets of readings may be used on the evening of Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day.
| I | II | III |
| Isaiah 9. 2–7 | Isaiah 62. 6–12 | Isaiah 52. 7–10 |
| Ps. 96 | Ps. 97 | Ps. 98 |
| Titus 2. 11–14 | Titus 3. 4–7 | Hebrews 1. 1–4 [5–12] |
| Luke 2. 1–14 [15–20] | Luke 2. [1–7] 8–20 | John 1. 1–14 |
Almighty Father, we rejoice in the coming of Christ our Lord. We pray that, as he has taken on our humanity, through your grace and goodness we may share in your divinity, and so partake in the radiance of your glory; through him who came down for us and is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Holy and lowly One, Jesus, Friend and Brother,
we rejoice in your coming among us.
You come down to lift us up.
You come as the Light to our darkness:
we welcome and adore you.
We pray for your church throughout the world;
may we reveal your saving power and abide in your love.
We pray for the work of the church among the poor and the outcasts of our world.
King of glory, come to earth.
Lift us up into your kingdom.
Prince of Peace, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, for peace in the Holy Land;
for peace among nations and goodwill throughout this world;
for the communities to which we belong and the places where we work,
that they may know your presence and your peace.
King of glory, come to earth.
Lift us up into your kingdom.
Lord, born at Bethlehem, we pray for our families,
for all with whom we will share this Christmas time:
we rejoice in their love and your love for us all.
We remember absent friends and loved ones,
all who will be alone this Christmas time.
King of glory, come to earth.
Lift us up into your kingdom.
At this time of joy and rejoicing, we remember all who are sad,
all whose lives are full of sorrow, fear or darkness.
We pray for all who are in care, in hospital or in a hospice;
we remember those who have no home and will sleep rough this night.
We pray especially for friends and loved ones who are ill.
King of glory, come to earth.
Lift us up into your kingdom.
We rejoice with all who have entered into the fullness of your presence, all who are at peace in your kingdom.
We pray for friends and loved ones departed.
King of glory, come to earth.
Lift us up into your kingdom.
THE PEACE
This day heaven comes down, we are one with our God;
the Word is made flesh and dwells among us.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and