The Sunday after Christmas-day

_________

The Collect

ALMIGHTY God,who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin; Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.



The Epistle

Gal. iv. 1.
Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
   ²But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
   ³Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
   ⁴But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
   ⁵To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
   ⁶And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
   ⁷Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

The Gospel

St. Matt. i. 18.
NOW the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
   ¹⁹Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
   ²⁰But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
   ²¹And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
   ²²Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
   ²³Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
   ²⁴Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
   ²⁵And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.