The 7th Day of Christmastide

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. To all who received him he gave power to become children of God.

Morning Reading: John 1:1-18 (ESV)

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 were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Morning Prayer

With humble confidence we turn to Christ the Lord, whose grace has been revealed for the salvation of all mankind. Lord, have mercy on us.

+ Christ, radiance of God’s glory, sustaining the universe with your all-powerful word, give us life today through the power of Your gospel.
+ Christ, Liberator of the whole human race, give all mankind the freedom needed to do Your will.
+ Christ, eternal Son of the Father, yet born for us in the stable at Bethlehem, help Your Church to be ever detached from the unnecessary things of this world.
+ Christ, Son of David, fulfillment of the prophecies, may the Jewish people accept You as their awaited Deliverer.

All-powerful, ever-living God, we thank You for the human birth of Your Son, which is the source and perfection of our Christian life and worship. Number us among His people, for the salvation of all mankind is found in Him, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

“We Shall Behold Him” – Sandi Patty

Blessing

The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!