Great and Wonderful
Great and wonderful are your deeds
O Lord God the almighty:
just and true are your ways
O Sovereign of the nations.
Who shall not revere and praise your name
O Lord?:
for you alone are holy.
All nations shall come and worship
in your presence:
for your just dealings have been revealed.
To the One who is seated on the throne
and to the Lamb:
be blessing and honour, glory and might
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Gospel Reading - The Birth of Jesus the Messiah
18These are the facts concerning the birth of Jesus Christ: His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19Then Joseph, her fiancé,a being a man of stern principle,* decided to break the engagement but to do it quietly, as he didn’t want to publicly disgrace her.
20As he lay awakeb considering this, he fell into a dream, and saw an angel standing beside him. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “don’t hesitate to take Mary as your wife! For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21And she will have a Son, and you shall name him Jesus (meaning ‘Savior’), for he will save his people from their sins. 22This will fulfill God’s message through his prophets —
23‘Listen! The virgin shall conceive a child! She shall give birth to a Son, and he shall be called “Emmanuel” (meaning “God is with us”).’”
24When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel commanded and brought Mary home to be his wife, . . . . .Matthew 1:18-24
- Literally, “her husband.” a man of stern principle, Literally, “a just man.”
- Implied in remainder of verse.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.