Christmas Day — Morning

O God, Thou art worthy of universal and everlasting adoration. Thy nature is incomprehensible ; thy perfections are infinite ; and thy ways are past finding out. Thou art the Creator and upholder of all things. All thy works praise Thee, O Lord, and thy saints bless Thee. All our lives have been full of thy undeserved goodness.

But we are called this morning to behold the exceeding riches of thy grace, in thy kindness towards us by Christ Jesus. Herein is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

May we contemplate this matchless event with all those views and affections which its importance demands. May those who observe the day observe it unto the Lord. May our festivity be becoming the occasion, harmless and holy. Let us not disgrace the season by reviving those works of the devil which the Son of God was manifested to destroy; nor rest satisfied with the mere remembrance of his advent, as founded in truth and attended with wonders, but inquire for what end He was born, and for what cause he came into the world. And since we are informed that He came to seek and to save that which was lost ; and suffered the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God ; may we deem the report not only a faithful saying, but worthy of all acceptation ; and may it be in us a well of water springing up into everlasting life. May none of us disregard Him, from ignorance, worldly mindedness, presumption, self-righteousness, or despondency. As our Prophet may we repair to his feet for instruction. May we look to His sacrifice, and find relief for our burdened consciences. May we acknowledge his authority and obey his commands In all our approaches to Thee, may we make mention of his righteousness only, and in his strength go forth into all the duties and trials of life.

May we never feel miserable, even in a vale of tears, while we think of the consolation of Israel ; but rejoice in Him with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Reflecting upon his grace in becoming poor, that we through his poverty might be rich, may all selfishness and uncharitableness be extirpated from our hearts ; may we love one another as He has loved us; and may we delight to go about doing good.

May no coldness, no indifference, ever approach our spirits, whenever we are engaged in serving a Master who has all the claims of a benefactor; yea, who died for us and rose again.

To Him may we consecrate all our faculties and possessions ; and on our time and our substance, our souls and our bodies, may there be inscribed, Holiness unto the Lord. May we grieve to hear his name blasphemed, and weep to see his laws transgressed.

May his cause lie near our hearts ; and may we long for the time when He shall be known and adored from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same ; when to Him shall every knee bow, and every tongue confess; and the glad tidings of great joy shall be to all people, Unto you is born a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Through his mediation we address Thee ; and in his words we conclude our imperfect supplications. Our Father who art in heaven ; hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in 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, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.