O Lord Jesu Christ,
who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger
to prepare thy way before thee;
Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way,
by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,
that at thy second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight,
who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
ever one God, world without end.

O Lord Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming sent your messenger
to prepare your way before you:
Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready your way
by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;
for you are alive and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.

O Lord Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming sent your messenger
to prepare your way before you:
Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready your way
by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;
for you are alive and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.

Almighty God,
Give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness,
and put upon us the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life,
in which thy Son Jesus Christ
came to visit us in great humility;
that in the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty
to judge both the quick and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who liveth and reigneth with thee
and the Holy Spirit, now and ever.

Father,
we give you thanks for these heavenly gifts.
Kindle us with the fire of your Spirit
that when Christ comes again
we may shine as lights before his face;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

1st Reading Isaiah 61: 1–4, 8–11
218* And can it be that I should gain
494* Beauty for brokenness
481* God is working his purpose out as year succeeds to year 324* God, whose almighty word
125* Hail to the Lord’s anointed
569* Hark, my soul! it is the Lord
124* Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes
418* Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face
574 I give you all the honour
357 I’ll praise my maker while I’ve breath
97* Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
99* Jesus, the name high over all
671 Jesus, thy blood and righteousness
134* Make way, make way for Christ the King
706* O bless the God of Israel
104* O for a thousand tongues to sing

Psalm Psalm 126 [L5C/Pr25B*/7–25/HTB]
567* Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go
356 I will sing, I will sing a song unto the Lord
712* Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
373* To God be the glory! Great things he has done!

Alternative Canticle Magnificat (Luke 1: 47–55) [A3A/A4BC]
to Psalm 704* Mary sang a song, a song of love
712* Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
373* To God be the glory! Great things he has done!

2nd Reading 1 Thessalonians 5: 16–24
455 Go forth for God, go forth to the world in peace
631* God be in my head
303* Lord of the Church, we pray for our renewing
634* Love divine, all loves excelling
639* O thou, who camest from above
341* Spirit divine, attend our prayers
446* Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands
73* The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended
145* You servants of the Lord

The Gospel John 1: 6–8, 19–28
381* God has spoken – by his prophets
126* Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding
124* Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes