From Whom the Whole Human Family Receives Its Name

FIRST SUNDAY after CHRISTMAS YEAR A

READINGS Isaiah 63:7-9 Psalm 148 Hebrews 2:10-18 Matthew 2:13-23

COLLECT Loving God, guardian of our homes, from whom the whole human family receives its name: when you entrusted your Son to the care of Mary and Joseph, you did not spare them the pains that touch the life of every family. Teach us to rely on your word, that in our trials, as in our joys, we may be clothed in gentleness and patience, and united in love. Make us ever thankful for the blessings you give us through Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, in the splendour of eternal light, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Source of grace and truth, may we who have received the gift of divine life always follow in the way of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. FIRST SUNDAY after CHRISTMAS YEAR A

FIRST READING: Isaiah 63:7-9

A Reading from the Book of Isaiah.

I will recount the gracious deeds of our God, and sing God’s praises, because of all that God has done for us, the many good things done for the house of Israel and done with great compassion —the many kindnesses.

For God said, "Surely these are my people, children who will not deal falsely"; so God became their saviour, their liberator.

In their distress, O God, you were distressed, and sent no messenger or angel, but by your very presence you saved them; by such love and by such pity you redeemed them; and lifted them up, and carried them from days of old.

Listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. FIRST SUNDAY after CHRISTMAS YEAR A

Thanks be to God! PSALM 148

Hallelujah! Praise God from the heavens; praise God in the heights. Praise God, all you angels; praise God, all you hosts.

Praise God, sun and moon; praise God, all you shining stars. Praise God, heaven of heavens, and you waters above the heavens.

Let them praise the Name of our God, by whose command they were created. God made them stand fast for ever and ever; giving them a law which shall not pass away.

Praise God from the earth, you sea-monsters and all deeps; Fire and hail, snow and fog, tempestuous wind, doing God’s will;

Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars; Wild beasts and all cattle, creeping things and winged birds; Rulers of the earth and all peoples, all judges of the world;

Young men and maidens, old and young together: let them praise the Name of our God, whose name alone is exalted, whose splendour is over earth and heaven;

Who has raised up strength for the people and praise for the faithful, the children of Israel, a people dear to God! Hallelujah! FIRST SUNDAY after CHRISTMAS YEAR A

SECOND READING: Hebrews 2:10-18

A Reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the One who makes holy and those who are made holy are all from the one God.

For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, I will sing your praise in the midst of the congregation." And again, "I will put my trust in God." And again, "Here I am, with the children whom God has given me."

Since, therefore, the children of God are flesh and blood, Christ himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but to help the descendants of Abraham.

Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help others who are being tested.

Listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Thanks be to God. FIRST SUNDAY after CHRISTMAS YEAR A

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 2:13-23

The Lord be with you. God be with you. And with thy spirit. And also with you. The Holy Gospel The Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ of Jesus Christ according to Matthew. according to Matthew. Glory be to Thee, O Lord. Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Now after the Magi had left, an angel of God appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what God had spoken through the prophet, 'Out of Egypt I have called my son.'

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the Magi, he was furious, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the Magi. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 'A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.'

When Herod died, an angel of God suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. FIRST SUNDAY after CHRISTMAS YEAR A

But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. So after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He will be called a Nazarene."

The Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ. Praise be to Thee, O Christ. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.