Beloved in Christ, let us at this Christmastide prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the angels, and in heart and mind go to Bethlehem, and see the babe lying in a manger.

Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God, from the first days of our disobedience, to the glorious redemption brought to us by this Holy Child: and let us make this place glad with our prayers and praise.

But first let us pray for the needs of his whole world: for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for unity and brotherhood within the Church he came to build, and especially in this nation of Australia.

And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless, the hungry, and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love.

Lastly, let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no man can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one.

These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the throne of heaven, in the words which Christ himself taught us:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.

And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,

Now and forever, Amen.