Almighty God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take
our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure
Virgin: Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children
by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit;
through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth
with thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without
end. _Amen_.
THE EPISTLE. Gal. iv. 1.
Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth
nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; but is under
tutors and governors, until the time appointed of the father.
Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the
elements of the world: but when the fulness of the time was come,
God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to
redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the
adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth
the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son,
then an heir of God through Christ.
THE GOSPEL. St Matth. i. 18.
The birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother
Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was
found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband,
being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example,
was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these
things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a
dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto
thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the
Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call
his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins.
(Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was
spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a Virgin shall
be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call
his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.) Then
Joseph, being raised from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had
bidden him, and took unto him his wife; and knew her not till she
had brought forth her first-born son: and he called his name JESUS.