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.

Magnificat

1 My soul proclaims the | greatness • of the | Lord, ■
my spirit rejoices • in | God my | Saviour,

2 who has looked with favour on his | lowly | servant; ■
from this day all gene|rations • will | call me | blessèd;

3 the Almighty has done | great things | for me ■
and | holy | is his | name.

4 God has mercy on | those who | fear him,■
from gene|ration • to | gene|ration.

5 The Lord has shown | strength • with his | arm ■
and scattered the | proud in | their con|ceit,

6 casting down the mighty | from their | thrones ■
and | lifting | up the | lowly.

7 God has filled the hungry with | good | things ■
and sent the | rich a|way | empty.

8 He has come to the aid of his | servant | Israel ■
to re|member • the | promise of | mercy,

9 The promise | made to • our | forebears, ■
to Abraham | and his | children • 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.

Sustain us, O God,
with the power of your love
on our journey to meet the One who is coming:
strengthen our weak hands,
make firm our feeble knees,
and open blind eyes to the dawning of your kingdom,
so that our hearts may rejoice
as we behold the majesty of our God.
We ask this through your Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you
and 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.

Isaiah 35: 1-10

*146 - A great and mighty wonder
*189 - As with gladness men of old
*S10 - Be bold, be strong
*459 - For all the saints, who from their labours rest
512 - From thee all skill and science flow
*128 - Hills of the north, rejoice
*166 - Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
*535 - Judge eternal, throned in splendour
*590 - My faith looks up to thee
*231 - My song is love unknown
*104 - O for a thousand tongues to sing
*S118 - People, look east. The time is near
S119 - People, look east to see at last
*S129 - Sing, choirs of heaven! Let saints and angels sing
140 - The Lord will come and not be slow
*113 - There is singing in the desert, there is laughter in the skies
*115 - Thou art the Way: to thee alone
377 - You shall go out with joy

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
*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

Canticle: Magnificat

*704 - Mary sang a song, a song of love
*S222 - My soul rejoices in God, my Saviour
*712 - Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
139 - The angel Gabriel from heaven came
*373 - To God be the glory!
*S227 - With Mary let my soul rejoice

James 5: 7-10

*517 - Brother, sister, let me serve you
*461 - For all thy saints, O Lord
*41 - God, whose farm is all creation
*535 - Judge eternal, throned in splendour
*281 - Rejoice, the Lord is King!
*601 - Teach me, my God and King

Matthew 11: 2-11

*324 - God, whose almighty word
126 - Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding
417 - He gave his life in selfless love
*104 - O for a thousand tongues to sing
*136 - On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry
*S146 - The kingdom of God is justice and joy
*509 - Your kingdom come, O God