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.

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.

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 to cast away the works of darkness
and to put on the armour of light
now in the time of this mortal life
in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;
that on the last day
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for 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.

O Lord our God,
you are the Mighty One
who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of our Lord:
may we like Elizabeth and John the Baptist
recognise the presence among us of him
who sanctifies us through his body offered for us,
your Son, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

An asterisk (*) before the hymn number indicates that the hymn has been recorded for use in public worship by the Recorded Church Music Committee.

Zephaniah 3: 14-20

*S10 - Be bold, be strong
86 - Christ is the King! O friends rejoice
120 - Comfort, comfort ye my people
*646 - Glorious things of thee are spoken
*125 - Hail to the Lord's anointed
129 - How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him
*281 - Rejoice, the Lord is King!

Canticle: Song of Isaiah

370 - Stand up, and bless the Lord
*373 - To God be the glory!
*492 - Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim

Psalm 146: 4-10

349 - Fill thou my life, O Lord my God
*4 - God, who made the earth
*125 - Hail to the Lord's anointed
*92 - How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
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
*535 - Judge eternal, throned in splendour
363 - O Lord of heaven and earth and sea
*712 - Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
*8 - The Lord is king! Lift up your voice
*376 - Ye holy angels bright

Philippians 4: 4-7

*349 - Fill thou my life, O Lord my God
225 - In the cross of Christ I glory
S66 - In the Lord I'll be ever thankful
*16 - Like a mighty river flowing
*S87 - Like the murmur of the dove's song
*636 - May the mind of Christ my Saviour
S104 - Now go in peace, now go in love
507 - Put peace into each other's hands
*281 - Rejoice, the Lord is King!
71 - Saviour, again to thy dear name we raise
*373 - To God be the glory!
*627 - What a Friend we have in Jesus

Luke 3: 7-18

462 - For Mary, mother of our Lord
*126 - Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding
*419 - I am not worthy, holy Lord
*303 - Lord of the Church, we pray for our renewing
*636 - May the mind of Christ my Saviour
*306 - O Spirit of the living God
175 - Of the Father's heart begotten
*136 - On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry
*341 - Spirit divine, attend our prayers
140 - The Lord will come and not be slow
*294 - Come down, O Love divine