Introit • Isaiah 9:6
A child is born to us, and a Son is given to us: Whose government is upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called the Angel of great counsel. (Ps. 97:1) Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: because He hath done wonderful things. Glory be …
Collect (Prayer)
Grant we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the new birth in the flesh of Thine only-begotten Son may set us free, whom the old bondage doth hold under the yoke of sin. Through our Lord.
For St. Thomas Becket
O God, the the sake of Whose Church the glorious Bishop Thomas fell by the sword of ungodly men: grant, we beseech Thee, that all who implore his aid, may obtain the good fruit of their petition. Through our Lord.
Epistle • Titus 3: 4-7
Dearly beloved: the goodness and kindness of God our Savior appeared: not by the works of justice which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us by the laver of regeneration and renovation of the Holy Ghost, Whom He hath poured forth upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior: that, being justified by His grace, we may be heirs according to hope of life everlasting: in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Gradual • Ps. 97: 3-4, 2
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God: sing joyfully to God, all the earth. The Lord hath made known His salvation: He hath revealed His justice in the sight of the Gentiles.
Alleluia, alleluia.
A sanctified day hath shone upon us: come, ye Gentiles, and adore the Lord: for this day a great light hath descended upon the earth. Alleluia.
Gospel • Luke 2: 15-20
At that time the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath showed to us. And they came with haste: and they found Mary and Joseph, and the Infant lying in the manger. And seeing they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this Child. And all that heard wondered: and at those things that were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Offertory • Psalms 88: 12, 15
Thine are the heavens, and Thine is the earth, the world and the fullness thereof Thou hast founded: justice and judgment are the preparation of Thy throne.
Secret
Sanctify, O Lord, the gifts offered to Thee by the new birth of Thine only-begotten Son: and cleanse us from the stains of our sins. Through our Lord.
For St. Thomas Becket
Sanctify, O Lord, the gifts dedicated to Thee, and by the intercession of blessed Thomas, Thy Martyr and Bishop, through them look upon us with mercy. Through our Lord.
Communion • Psalms 97:3
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our Lord.
Postcommunion
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that as the Savior of the world born on this day is the Author of our heavenly birth, so He may Himself also be to us the Giver of immorality: Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
For St. Thomas Becket
May this Communion, O Lord, cleanse us from guilt; and, through the intercession of Blessed Thomas, Thy Martyr and Bishop, make us partakers of the heavenly remedy. Through our Lord.