(Note: Since many churches have more than one service on Christmas Day (including one at the beginning of the day, at midnight), three collects and three sets of readings are provided, not necessarily intended for for a three-year cycle.)
Prayers (traditional language)
O God, who makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thy only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that as we joyfully receive him for our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our Judge; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.Prayers (contemporary language)O God, who hast caused this holy night to shine with the illumination of the true Light: Grant us, we beseech thee, that as we have known the mystery of that Light upon earth, so may we also perfectly enjoy him in heaven; where with thee and the Holy Spirit he liveth and reigneth, one God, in glory everlasting.
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.
O God, who make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.O God, who have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting.
Almighty God, who have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever.
Psalm 97(or 97:1-4,11-12) ("Let heaven and earth rejoice to greet the coming Lord.")
Epistle: Titus 2:11-14 ("the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ")
The Holy Gospel: Luke 2:1-20 ("There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus... laid him in a manger... shepherds in the fields... "Glory to God in the Highest, and peace to His people on earth")
Psalm 97 (or 97:1-4,11-12) (The LORD is King... the heavens have declared his righteousness, and all the peoples have seen his glory.)
Epistle: Titus 3:4-7 (God has saved us, not because of our merit, but because of His generosity, cleansing and renewing us through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.)
The Holy Gospel: Luke 2:15-20 (The shepherds come to the manger to adore the Infant Jesus.)
Psalm 98 *or* 98:1-6 (The LORD has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.)
Epistle: Hebrews 1:1-12 (God, who formerly spoke by the prophets, has now spoken through his Son.)
The Holy Gospel: John 1:1-14 ("In the beginning was the Word... and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth, and we beheld his glory.")
Poem for Christmas Day:
What follows is a selection of stanzas from a Christmas poem by William Dunbar (Scotland, 1460-1520). I have modified the spelling and changed a few words. Here are a few footnotes in advance:
I have heard it sung to a double quatrain of "Old 104th" alternating with a double quatrain of "Veni Creator," both in very free rhythm, and with the "Veni" starting and ending one tone lower than the "Old CIV". (Check the Index of Tunes in your hymnal.)
And now the poem.
RORATE COELI DESUPER,
Heavens, distill your balmy showers,
For now is risen the bright day star
From the rosemary, flower of flowers.
The clear sun, whom no cloud devours,
Surmounting Phoebus in the East,
Is come down of his heavenly towers
ET NOBIS PUER NATUS EST.Archangels, angels, dominations,
Thrones, powers, and heaven's militia here,
And all the heavenly operations,
Star, planet, firmament and sphere,
Fire, earth, air, and water clear,
To him give loving most and least
Who comes to bring us love and cheer
ET NOBIS PUER NATUS EST.Sinners, be glad and penance do,
And thank your maker heartfully;
For he that ye might not come to
Comes to you in humility,
Your souls with his own blood to buy
And loose you of the fiend's arrest,
And only of his own mercy
PRO NOBIS PUER NATUS EST.Sing, heaven imperial most of height.
Regions of air, make harmony.
All fish of flood and fowl of flight,
Be mirthful and make melody.
All GLORIA IN EXCELSIS cry,
Heaven, earth, sea, man, bird, and beast.
He that is throned above the sky
PRO NOBIS PUER NATUS EST.