Midnight Mass

	The Gathering

Carol  (Stand)

Once in royal David's city
stood a lowly cattle shed,
where a mother laid her baby 
in a manger for his bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.

He came down to earth from heaven,
who is God and Lord of all,
and his shelter was a stable,
and his cradle was a stall;
with the poor, the meek and lowly,
lived on earth our Saviour holy.

And, through all his wondrous childhood,
he would honour and obey,
love and watch the lowly maiden
in whose gentle arms he lay:
Christian children all must be
mild, obedient, good as he.

For he is our childhood's pattern,
day by day like us he grew;
he was little, weak and helpless,
tears and smiles like us he knew.
and he feeleth for our sadness,
and he shareth in our gladness.

The Greeting  

(Stand)

	The president greets the people

	Grace, mercy and peace 
	from God our Father
	and the Lord Jesus Christ 
	be with you
All	and also with you.

	Prayers of Penitence  (Stand)

	A minister says this seasonal invitation to confession

Christ the light of the world has come 
to dispel the darkness of our hearts. 
In his light let us examine ourselves 
and confess our sins.

Silence

Lord of grace and truth,
we confess our unworthiness         
to stand in your presence as your children.
Lord, have mercy.
All	Lord have mercy.        

The Virgin Mary accepted your call
to be the mother of Jesus.     
Forgive our disobedience to your will.
Lord, have mercy.
All	Lord, have mercy. 

Your Son our Saviour
was born in poverty in a manger.
Forgive our greed and rejection of your ways. 
Lord, have mercy.
All	Lord, have mercy. 

The shepherds left their flocks 
to go to Bethlehem.
Forgive our self-interest and lack of vision. 
Lord, have mercy.
All	Lord have mercy. 

The wise men followed the star
to find Jesus the King.
Forgive our reluctance to seek you
Lord, have mercy.
All	Lord have mercy. 

	The President says this absolution

	May almighty God have mercy on you, 
	forgive you your sins, 
	and bring you to everlasting life
All	Amen.

Carol  (Stand)

Hark! the herald angels sing
glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Hark! the herald angels sing
glory to the newborn King!

Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a Virgin's womb,
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail the incarnate Deity.
Pleased as man with man to dwell;
Jesus, our Emmanuel! 
Hark! the herald angels sing
glory to the newborn King!

Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Risen with healing in his wings,
light and life to all he brings,
hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hark! the herald angels sing
glory to the newborn King!

The Collect (Stand)

The President says the opening prayer, or collect.

Let us pray that Christ may be born in us,
and fill us with his light and peace.

Eternal God,
you made this most holy night
shine with the brightness of your one true light.
Bring us,
who have seen the revelation of that light on earth,
to see the radiance of your heavenly glory,
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and fore ever.
All 	Amen.

	The Liturgy of the Word

	First Reading  (Sit)

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts 
will do this.     Isaiah 9.2,6-7  

	This is the word of the Lord.
All 	Thanks be to God.

	Carol  (Stand)

 Silent night, holy night,
all is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night,
shepherds quake at the sight,
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ, the Saviour, is born!
Christ, the Saviour, is born!

Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light
radiant beams from thy holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth. 
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

Gospel Reading  (Stand)

	Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
All 	Glory to you, O Lord.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, 
full of grace and truth.         John 1:1-14.

	At the end

	This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All 	Praise to you, O Christ.

	Sermon    (sit)

Carol  (Stand)

In the bleak midwinter,
frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron,
water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow,
snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter,
long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him
nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away
when he comes to reign:
in the bleak midwinter
a stable place sufficed
the Lord God incarnate,
Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels
may have gathered there
cherubim and seraphim
thronged the air;
but his mother only,
in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved
with a kiss.

What can I give him,
poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb;
if I were a wise man,
I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him
give my heart.

	Prayers of Intercession    (sit or kneel)

	The prayers are introduced by the president 
	using these or similar words.

	In the power of the Spirit,
	and in union with Christ,
	let us pray to the Father.

	This response may be used

	Lord, in your mercy
All 	hear our prayer.

	The prayers may end

	Merciful Father,
All 	accept these prayers
	for the sake of your Son,
	our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

	The Liturgy of the Sacrament

	The Peace  (Stand)

	The Peace is introduced in these words.

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,         
and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace.  

	The peace of the Lord be always with you
All 	and also with you.

	Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
	All may exchange a sign of peace.

Offertory Carol       A collection will be taken.  (Stand)

O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by;
yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting Light;
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary;
and gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
proclaim the holy birth!
and praises sing to God the King,
and peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hears
the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming,
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him,
still the dear Christ enters in.

Where children pure and happy
pray to the blessed Child,
where misery cries out to thee,
Son of the Mother mild;
where charity stands watching
and faith holds wide the door,
the dark night wakes, the glory breaks,
and Christmas comes once more.

O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin and enter in,
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Emmanuel!  

	Preparation of the Table

	Taking of the Bread and Wine

	The gifts of the people may be gathered and presented.
	The table is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it.

	The president takes the bread and wine, and may say.

	Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation:
	through your goodness we have this bread to set before you,
	which earth has given and human hands have made.
	It will become for us the bread of life.
All 	Blessed be God for ever.

	Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation:
	through your goodness we have this wine to set before you,
	fruit of the vine and work of human hands.
	It will become for us the cup of salvation.
All 	Blessed be God for ever.

	The President begins this Eucharistic Prayer

Eucharist Prayer B  (Stand)

	The Lord be with you
All 	and also with you.

	Lift up your hearts.
All 	We lift them to the Lord.

	Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All 	It is right to give thanks and praise.

All glory and honour be yours always and everywhere,
mighty creator, ever-living God.
We give you thanks and praise for your Son, 
our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who for love of our fallen race humbled himself, 
was born of the Virgin Mary by the power of your Spirit,
and lived as one of us.
In this mystery of the Word made flesh
you have caused his light to shine in our hearts,
to give knowledge of your glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
In him we see our God made visible 
and so are caught up in the love of the God we cannot see.         Therefore with all the angels of heaven
we lift our voices to proclaim the glory of your name
and sing our joyful hymn of praise:                   

All 	Holy, holy, holy Lord,
	God of power and might,
	heaven and earth are full of your glory.
	Hosanna in the highest.
	Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
	Hosanna in the highest.

	Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness;
	grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit,
	and according to your holy will,
	these gifts of bread and wine
	may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ;

	who, in the same night that he was betrayed,
	took bread and gave you thanks;
	he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying:
	Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
	do this in remembrance of me.
	
	In the same way, after supper
	he took the cup and gave you thanks;
	he gave it to them, saying:
	Drink this, all of you;
	this is my blood of the new covenant,
	which is shed for you and for many 
	for the forgiveness of sins.
	Do this, as often as you drink it,
	in remembrance of me.

	Great is the mystery of faith.
All	Christ has died:
	Christ is risen:
	Christ will come again.

	And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross,
	his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world;
	rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension,
	and looking for his coming in glory,
	we celebrate this memorial of our redemption.
	As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving,
	we bring before you this bread and this cup
	and we thank you for counting us worthy
	to stand in your presence and serve you.

	Send the Holy Spirit on your people
	and gather into one in your kingdom
	all who share this one bread and one cup,
	so that we, in the company of 
	the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints,
	may praise and glorify you for ever,
	through Jesus Christ our Lord;

	by whom, and with whom, and in whom,
	in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
	all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father,
	for ever and ever.
All 	Amen.

	The Lord’s Prayer   (kneel or sit)

	Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
	
All 	Our Father, who art in heaven,
	hallowed be thy name;
	thy kingdom come;
	thy will be done;
	on earth as it is in heaven.
	Give us this day our daily bread.
	And forgive us our trespasses,
	as we forgive those who trespass against us.
	And lead us not into temptation;
	but deliver us from evil.
	For thine is the kingdom,
	the power and the glory,
	for ever and ever.  
	Amen.

	Breaking of the Bread

	The president breaks the consecrated bread.

	We break this bread 
	to share in the body of Christ.
All 	Though we are many, we are one body,
	because we all share in one bread.

	Agnus Dei

All 	Lamb of God,
	you take away the sin of the world,
	have mercy on us.

	Lamb of God,
	you take away the sin of the world,
	have mercy on us.

	Lamb of God,
	you take away the sin of the world,
	grant us peace.

	Giving of Communion

	The president says this invitation to communion

	Jesus is the Lamb of God
	who takes away the sin of the world.
	Blessed are those who are called to his supper.
All	Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
	but only say the word, and I shall be healed.

	The president and people receive communion.
	Carols may be sung during the distribution (Page 19)

	Baptized persons who are communicant members of other
 	Churches which subscribe to the doctrine of the Holy 
	Trinity and are in good standing in their own Church 
	may receive Communion. 

	Any person may come to the altar for a blessing. 
	Holding a book is a useful signal to the ministers
	During the distribution hymns and anthems may be sung.

	Any consecrated bread and wine which is not required for
	purposes of communion is consumed at the end of the
	distribution or after the service

	Prayer after Communion

	The President says the post Communion Collect. 

God our Father,
whose Word has come among us
in the Holy Child of Bethlehem:
may the light of faith illumine our hearts
and shine in our words and deeds;
through him who is Christ the Lord.
All 	Amen.

All 	Almighty God,
	we thank you for feeding us
	with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
	Through him we offer you our souls and bodies
	to be a living sacrifice.
	Send us out
	in the power of your Spirit
	to live and work
	to your praise and glory.
	Amen.

	The Dismissal

	Blessing

	The President uses this solemn blessing.

May the Father,
who has loved the eternal Son
from before the foundation of the world,
shed that love upon you his children. 
All 	Amen.

May Christ,
who by his incarnation gathered into one
things earthly and heavenly,
fill you with joy and peace. 
All 	Amen.

May the Holy Spirit,
by whose overshadowing Mary became the God-bearer,
give you grace to carry the good news of Christ. 
All 	Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
All 	Amen.

	A minister dismisses the people.

	Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. 
All 	In the name of Christ. Amen. 

	The ministers depart during the singing of the final carol.

Carol  (Stand)

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
come, and behold him, born the King of angels;

Refrain:

O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

God from the Godhead, Light from Light eternal,
lo! he abhors not the Virgin's womb;
only-begotten Son of the Father; Refrain

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
glory to God, glory in the highest; Refrain

See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle,
leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
we too will thither bend our joyful footsteps; Refrain

Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
we would embrace thee, with love and awe;
who would not love thee, loving us so dearly? Refrain

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born for us a saviour;
Jesus, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; Refrain

Extra carols

1
 Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
and stay by my side until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
close by me for ever, and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

2
 Jesus, good above all other,
gentle Child of gentle Mother,
in a stable born our Redeemer,
give us grace to persevere.

Jesus, cradled in a manger,
for us facing every danger,
living as a homeless stranger,
make we thee our King most dear.

Jesus, for thy people dying,
risen Master, death defying,
Lord in heaven, thy grace supplying,
keep us to thy presence near.

Jesus, who our sorrows bearest,
all our thoughts and hopes thou sharest,
thou to man the truth declarest;
help us all thy truth to hear.

Lord, in all our doings guide us;
pride and hate shall never divide us;
we'll go on with thee beside us,
and with joy we'll persevere! 

3
 Lullay, thou little tiny child,
By, by, lullay, lullay
Lullay, thou little tiny child,
By, by, lullay, lullay.

O sisters too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day,
This poor youngling for whom we sing,
By, by, lullay, lullay.

Herod the king in his ragin,
Charged he hath this day,
His men of night, in his own sight,
All children young to stay.

Then woe is me, poor child, for thee,
And ever mourn and say,
For thy parting not say, nor sing,
By, by, lullay, lullay.