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.

Eternal God,
you sent John the Baptist
to prepare the way for the coming of your Son:
grant us wisdom to see your purpose
and openness to hear your will,
that we too may prepare the way for Christ
who is coming in power and glory
to establish his rule of peace and justice;
through Jesus Christ our Judge and our Redeemer,
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 61: 1-4, 8-11

*218 - And can it be that I should gain
*494 - Beauty for brokenness, hope for despair
*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
*S80 - King of kings, majesty
*134 - Make way, make way, for Christ the King
*706 - O bless the God of Israel
*104 - O for a thousand tongues to sing
*S146 - The kingdom of God is justice and joy
144 - Word of justice, alleluia

Psalm 126

*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!

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
*373 - To God be the glory!
*S227 - With Mary let my soul rejoice

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24

*643 - Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
455 - Go forth for God: go forth to the world in peace
*631 - God be in my head
*381 - God hath spoken - by his prophets
*303 - Lord of the Church, we pray for our renewing
*634 - Love divine, all loves excelling
*639 - O thou who camest from above
*487 - Soldiers of Christ, arise
*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

John 1: 6-8, 19-28

501 - Christ is the world's true Light
*52 - Christ, whose glory fills the skies
*381 - God hath spoken - by his prophets
*125 - Hail to the Lord's anointed
*126 - Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding
*124 - Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes
*424 - Jesus, stand among us at the meeting of our lives
338 - Jesus, stand among us
*195 - Lord, the light of your love is shining
*134 - Make way, make way, for Christ the King
*706 - O bless the God of Israel
*135 - O come, O come, Emmanuel
*136 - On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry
141 - These are the days of Elijah
*S152 - This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine