Please join in saying the words and singing the hymns printed in bold type.

The church is served by a hearing loop. Users should turn their hearing aid to the setting marked T.

Photography, filming, and sound recording are not allowed in the Abbey during services. Please ensure that mobile telephones and other electronic devices are silent.

The service is sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey.

Setting: Missa Hodie Christus natus est, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c 1525–94)

During the offertory hymn, a collection will be taken.

Order of Service

All stand as the choir and clergy enter, and to sing the Hymn

O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
come and behold him
born the King of Angels:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

God of God,
Light of Light,
lo! he abhors not the Virgin's womb;
very God,
begotten, not created:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

See how the Shepherds,
summoned to his cradle,
leaving their flocks, draw nigh with lowly fear;
we too will thither
bend our joyful footsteps:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
Glory to God
in the Highest:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
born this happy morning,
Jesu, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father,
now in flesh appearing:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Words: 'Adeste fideles laeti triumphantes' attributed to John Wade (1711–86) verse 3 by Etienne de Borderies (1764–1832) translated Frederick Oakeley (1802–80) and William Thomas Brooke (1848–1917)
Tune: 'Adeste fideles' 30 NEH, attributed to John Wade

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

All remain standing. The president introduces the Prayers of Penitence, after which all say

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you
and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry
and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
who died for us,
forgive us all that is past
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name.
Amen.

The president gives the Absolution

Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The choir sings Gloria in excelsis Deo

Gloria in excelsis Deo,

All sit

et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.

Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam, Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens.

Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe; Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis; qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram; qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis.

Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe, cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

All stand for the Collect

Let us pray.

All sit for the Reading from the Old Testament, Isaiah 52: 7–10

How beautiful upon the mountains
   are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
   who announces salvation,
   who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'
Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,
   together they sing for joy;
for in plain sight they see
   the return of the Lord to Zion.
Break forth together into singing,
   you ruins of Jerusalem;
for the Lord has comforted his people,
   he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord has bared his holy arm
   before the eyes of all the nations;
and all the ends of the earth shall see
   the salvation of our God.

All stand to sing the Hymn

Unto us a boy is born!
   King of all creation,
came he to a world forlorn,
   the Lord of every nation.

Cradled in a stall was he
   with sleepy cows and asses;
but the very beasts could see
   that he all men surpasses.

Herod then with fear was filled:
   'A prince', he said, 'in Jewry!'
And all the little boys he killed
   at Bethlem in his fury.

Now may Mary's Son, who came
   so long ago to love us,
lead us all with hearts aflame
   unto the joys above us.

Omega and Alpha he!
   let the organ thunder,
while the choir with peals of glee
   doth rend the air asunder.

Words: 'Puer nobis nascitur' Moosburg, c 1355, translated by Percy Dearmer (1867–1936) Canon of Westminster 1931–36
Tune: 'Puer nobis' 39 NEH, from 'Piae cantiones' 1582

All sit for the Epistle, Hebrews 1: 1–12

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

For to which of the angels did God ever say,
'You are my Son;
today I have begotten you'?
Or again,
'I will be his Father,
   and he will be my Son'?
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
'Let all God's angels worship him.'
Of the angels he says,
'He makes his angels winds,
   and his servants flames of fire.'
But of the Son he says,
'Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever,
   and the righteous sceptre is the sceptre of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
   therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.'
And,
'In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth,
   and the heavens are the work of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain;
   they will all wear out like clothing;
like a cloak you will roll them up,
   and like clothing they will be changed.
But you are the same,
   and your years will never end.'

All stand for the Procession of the Gospel. The choir sings

Puer natus in Bethlehem Alleluia!
unde gaudet Jerusalem. Alleluia!

Hic jacet in præsepio Alleluia!
qui regnat sine termino. Alleluia!

Cognovit bos et asinus Alleluia!
quod puer erat Dominus. Alleluia!

In hoc natali gaudio Alleluia!
benedicamus Domino. Alleluia!

A boy is born in Bethlehem, thus Jerusalem rejoices.

He lies in a manger, who reigns without end.

The ox and ass know that the boy is the Lord.

On this joyful birthday let us bless the Lord.

Words: anonymous
Musuic: Samuel Scheidt (1587–1654)

The reader announces the Gospel, John 1: 1–14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.

The Sermon by The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle KCVO MBE, Dean of Westminster

All stand to say the Creed

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is,
seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

All remain standing for the Prayers of Intercession. At the end of each petition there is said

The intercession ends

Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

The president introduces the Peace

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace.

All may greet one another with the words Peace be with you.

All remain standing to sing the Hymn during the Preparation of the Altar. A collection will be taken. Alternatively, cash and contactless donations may be given as you leave via the Great West Door

O little town of Bethlehem,
   how still we see thee lie!
above thy deep and dreamless sleep
   the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
   the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years
   are met in thee to-night.

O morning stars, together
   proclaim the holy birth
and praises sing to God the King,
   and peace to men on earth;
for Christ is born of Mary;
   and, gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
   their watch of wondering love.

How silently, how silently,
   the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
   the blessings of his heaven.
no ear may hear his coming;
   but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still
   the dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem,
   descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin, and enter in,
   be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
   the great glad tidings tell:
O come to us, abide with us,
   our Lord Emmanuel.

Words: Phillips Brooks (1835–93)
Tune: 'Forest Green' 32 NEH, traditional English melody

All remain standing for the Eucharistic Prayer. The president says

All glory and honour be yours always and everywhere, mighty creator, ever-living God. We give you thanks and praise for your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, who for love of our fallen race humbled himself, and was born of the Virgin Mary by the power of your Spirit, and lived as one of us. In this mystery of the Word made flesh you have caused his light to shine in our hearts, to give knowledge of your glory in the face of Jesus Christ. In him we see our God made visible and so are caught up in the love of the God we cannot see. Therefore with all the angels of heaven we lift our voices to proclaim the glory of your name and sing our joyful hymn of praise:

The choir sings Sanctus and Benedictus

Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth, pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis. Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

The president continues the Eucharistic Prayer

Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit, and according to your holy will, these gifts of bread and wine may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ;

who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

The president concludes the Eucharistic Prayer

And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world; rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we celebrate this memorial of our redemption. As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, we bring before you this bread and this cup and we thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you.

All remain standing. The president introduces the Lord's Prayer

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us, so we say, each in our own language, the prayer that Jesus Christ has taught us,

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

All remain standing for the Breaking of the Bread

The congregation is invited to sit as the president and other ministers begin the distribution of Holy Communion. Those wishing to receive come forward as directed by the Stewards. If you receive communion in your own church you are welcome to do so here. Gluten-free wafers are available. Please refrain from dipping the wafer in the chalice. Those who do not wish to receive communion are invited to come for a blessing; please bow your head as you approach. The minister says to each communicant

The body of Christ. Amen.

The blood of Christ. Amen.

During the giving of communion, the choir sings Agnus Dei

All remain kneeling or seated to sing the Hymn

In the bleak mid-winter
   frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron,
   water like a stone:
snow had fallen, snow on snow,
   snow on snow,
in the bleak mid-winter,
   long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him
   nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away
   when he comes to reign:
in the bleak mid-winter
   a stable-place sufficed
the Lord God almighty
   Jesus Christ.

Enough for him, whom cherubim
   worship night and day,
a breastful of milk,
   and a mangerful of hay:
enough for him, whom angels
   fall down before,
the ox and ass and camel
   which adore.

Angels and archangels
   may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim
   thronged the air:
but only his mother
   in her maiden bliss
worshipped the Beloved
   with a kiss.

What can I give him,
   poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
   I would bring a lamb;
if I were a wise man
   I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him
   give my heart.

Words: Christina Rossetti (1830–94)
Tune: 'Cranham' 28 NEH, Gustav Holst (1874–1934)

The choir sings the Motet

Hodie Christus natus est. Alleluia!
Hodie Salvator apparuit. Alleluia!
Hodie in terra canunt angeli, laetantur archangeli. Alleluia!
Hodie exultant justi dicentes: Gloria in excelsis Deo
et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. Alleluia!

Today Christ is born. Today our Saviour has appeared. Today on earth angels sing, archangels share our joys. Today the righteous rejoice saying: Glory to God in the highest and in earth peace, good will to all people. Alleluia!

Words: Magnificat antiphon of Christmas Day
Music: Heinrich Schütz (1585–1672)

All stand to sing the Hymn

God rest you merry, gentlemen,
   let nothing you dismay,
remember Christ our Saviour
   was born on Christmas Day,
to save us all from Satan's power
   when we were gone astray:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy!
O tidings of comfort and joy!

From God our heavenly Father
   a blessèd angel came,
and unto certain shepherds
   brought tidings of the same,
how that in Bethlehem was born
   the Son of God by name:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy!
O tidings of comfort and joy!

And when they came to Bethlehem
   where our dear Saviour lay,
they found him in a manger,
   where oxen feed on hay;
his mother Mary kneeling down,
   unto the Lord did pray:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy!
O tidings of comfort and joy!

Now to the Lord sing praises,
   all you within this place,
and with true love and brotherhood
   each other now embrace;
this holy tide of Christmas
   all other doth efface:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy!
O tidings of comfort and joy!

Words: anonymous, British 18th century
Tune: 'God rest you merry' 25 NEH, London carol

Let us pray.

All remain standing. The president says the Prayer after Communion

God our Father, whose Word has come among us in the Holy Child of Bethlehem: may the light of faith illumine our hearts and shine in our words and deeds; through him who is Christ the Lord. Amen.

The president pronounces the Blessing

May the Father, who has loved the eternal Son from before the foundation of the world, shed that love upon you his children. Amen.

May Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with joy and peace. Amen.

May the Holy Spirit, by whose overshadowing Mary became the God-bearer, give you grace to carry the good news of Christ. Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Music after the service

Pièce d'orgue BWV 572, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

Choristerships at Westminster Abbey

St Margaret's Choristers

If you have a daughter aged 10 or 11 who would like to sing with the St Margaret's Choristers, please contact Greg Morris, Director of Music, St Margaret's Church, StMargaret.Choristers@westminster-abbey.org. Find out more about Music at St Margaret's Church.

The Choir of Westminster Abbey

If you have a son who enjoys singing, you can find out more information about our world-renowned Abbey Choir and its unique Choir School. 

Alternatively, please contact Dr Emma Margrett, Headteacher, Westminster Abbey Choir School, choirschool@westminster-abbey.org or Mr Andrew Nethsingha, Organist and Master of the Choristers, music@westminster-abbey.org.

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Hymns covered by Christian Copyright Licensing (International) Ltd are reproduced under CCL no 1040271 and MRL no 1040288. Common Worship (Church House Publishing, 2000), material from which is included in this service, is copyright © The Archbishops' Council. Scripture Readings are from the New Revised Standard Version.