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.

During the offertory hymn, a collection will be taken; the money from today's services will be divided equally between Unseen and the work of the Abbey. Unseen works towards a world without slavery.

Setting: Communion Service in C, John Ireland (1879–1962)

Visiting Choirs

When the Abbey Choirs are on holiday, the Abbey welcomes visiting choirs, upholding the Abbey's pattern of choral services. This is an important aspect of worship at Westminster Abbey, and choirs are received both at the invitation of the Minor Canons and Music Departments and via online applications. More information and details on how to apply can be found here. Today, the Abbey is pleased to welcome Hesperos Choir who are singing the choral services.

Order of Service

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

Of the Father's heart begotten,
   ere the world from chaos rose,
he is Alpha: from that Fountain
   all that is and hath been flows;
he is Omega, of all things
   yet to come the mystic Close,
      evermore and evermore.

O how blest that wondrous birthday,
    when the Maid the curse retrieved,
brought to birth mankind's salvation,
   by the Holy Ghost conceived;
and the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
   in her loving arms received,
      evermore and evermore.

This is he, whom seer and sibyl
   sang in ages long gone by;
this is he of old revealèd
   in the page of prophecy;
lo! he comes, the promised Saviour;
   let the world his praises cry!
      evermore and evermore.

Let the storm and summer sunshine,
   gliding stream and sounding shore,
sea and forest, frost and zephyr,
   day and night their Lord adore;
let creation join to laud thee
   through the ages evermore,
     evermore and evermore.

Sing, ye heights of heaven, his praises;
   angels and archangels, sing!
Wheresoe'er ye be, ye faithful,
   let your joyous anthems ring,
every tongue his name confessing,
   countless voices answering,
      Evermore and evermore.

Words: 'Corde natus ex parentis' Prudentius (348–c 413) translated by Robert Davis (1866–1937)
Tune: 'Divinum mysterium' 33 NEH, in 'Piae Cantiones ecclesiasticae et scholasticae veterum episcoporum' complied by Jacobus Finno, 1582

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

Glory be to God on high,

All sit

and in earth peace, good will towards men.

We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty.

O Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.

For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high 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, Jeremiah 31: 7–14

Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
   and declare it in the coastlands far away;
say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him,
   and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.'
For the Lord has ransomed Jacob,
   and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.
They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,
   and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil,
   and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall become like a watered garden,
   and they shall never languish again.
Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
   and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
   I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
I will give the priests their fill of fatness,
   and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty,
says the Lord.

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The choir sings Psalm 147: 13–end

Sing praise to the Lord, O Jerusalem!
   praise your God, O Zion!
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates,
   and has blest your children within you.
He has established peace in your borders,
   and satisfies you with the finest wheat.
He sends forth his command to the earth,
   and his word runs very swiftly.
He gives snow like wool,
   and scatters the hoarfrost like ashes.
He casts down his hailstones like morsels of bread—
   who can endure his frost?
He sends forth his word, and melts them;
   he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.
He declares his word to Jacob,
   his statutes and judgements to Israel.
He has not dealt so with any other nation;
   they do not know his laws.

The Epistle, Ephesians 1: 3–14

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.

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

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

and all repeat

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

The reader announces the Gospel, John 1: 10–18

The true light 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. (John testified to him and cried out, 'This was he of whom I said, "He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me."') From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.

The Sermon by The Reverend Helena Bickley-Percival, Sacrist

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

Glory in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to all in whom he delights.

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

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

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

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory: glory be to thee, O Lord most high. Amen.

Blessed is he that cometh 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.

Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died: Christ is risen: Christ will come again.

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.

Send the Holy Spirit on your people and gather into one in your kingdom all who share this one bread and one cup, so that we, in the company of [N and] all the saints, may praise and glorify you for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

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 and the Motet

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world; have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world; grant us thy peace.

Here is the little door,
Lift up the latch, O lift!
We need not wander more
But enter with our gift;
Our gift of finest gold,
Gold that was never bought nor sold;
Myrrh to be strewn about his bed;
Incense in clouds about his head;
All for the Child that stirs not in his sleep,
But holy slumber holds with ass and sheep.

Bend low about his bed,
For each he has a gift;
See how his eyes awake,
Lift up your hands, O lift!
For gold, he gives a keen-edged sword
(Defend with it thy little Lord!)
For incense, smoke of battle red,
Myrrh for the honoured happy dead;
Gifts for his children, terrible and sweet,
Touched by such tiny hands and O such tiny feet.

Words: Frances Blogg (1869–1938)
Music: Herbert Howells (1892–1983)

All stand to sing the Hymn

It came upon the midnight clear,
   that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
   to touch their harps of gold:
'Peace on the earth, good-will to men,
   from heaven's all gracious King!'
The world in solemn stillness lay
   to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come,
   with peaceful wings unfurled;
and still their heavenly music floats
   o'er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains
   they bend on hovering wing;
and ever o'er its Babel sounds
   the blessèd angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife
   the world has suffered long;
beneath the angel-strain have rolled
   two thousand years of wrong;
and man, at war with man, hears not
   the love-song which they bring:
O hush the noise, ye men of strife,
   and hear the angels sing!

For lo! the days are hastening on,
   by prophet bards foretold,
when, with the ever-circling years,
   comes round the age of gold;
when peace shall over all the earth
   its ancient splendours fling,
and the whole world give back the song
   which now the angels sing.

Words: Edmund Sears (1810–76)
Tune: 'Noël' 29 NEH, traditional English melody adapted by Arthur Sullivan (1842–1900)

Let us pray.

All remain standing. The president says the Prayer after Communion

The president pronounces the Blessing

Music after the service

Alla marcia, John Ireland

Sunday Lunch

Come and enjoy Sunday lunch at the Cellarium

The Cellarium Café and Terrace serves a traditional roast lunch, with a selection of starters and desserts. From £20.00 per person. Open from noon.

If you attend worship at the Abbey regularly, you may like to add this page to your home screen for easy access to our orders of service.

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.