Weekly Readings and Prayers
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21st December 2025 The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Collect
God our redeemer, who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son: grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour, so we may be ready to greet him when he comes again as our judge; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Reading Isaiah 7.10-16
The Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, ‘Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.’ But Ahaz said, ‘I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.’ Then Isaiah said: ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.’
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Psalm 80.1-8, 18 –end
1 Hear O Shepherd of Israel, : you that led Joseph like a flock;
2 Shine forth you that are enthroned upon the cherubim, : before Ephraim Benjamin and Manasseh.
3 Stir up your mighty strength s and come to our salvation.
4 Turn us again O God; : show the light of your countenance and we shall be saved.
5 O Lord God of hosts, : how long will you be angry at your people's prayer?
6 You feed them with the bread of tears; : you give them abundance of tears to drink.
7 You have made us the derision of our neighbours, : and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
8 Turn us again O God of hosts; : show the light of your countenance and we shall be saved.
18 Let your hand be upon the man at your right hand, : the son of man you made so strong for yourself.
19 And so will we not go back from you; : give us life, and we shall call upon your name.
20 Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts; : show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now and shall be for ever : world without end. Amen.
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Second Reading Romans 1.1-7
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Matthew 1.18-25
The birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means, ‘God is with us.’ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
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Post Communion Prayer
Heavenly Father, who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of the promised saviour: fill us your servants with your grace, that in all things we may embrace your holy will and with her rejoice in your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Prayers for the week
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"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and they will call him 'Immanuel' - which means, "God with us."
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This week we are praying for those living in Ilex Close, King John Square and Kings Lane.
Sunday 21st December
Dear Lord, take you rightful place on the throne of our hearts. Let your peace govern our emotions, your Word guide our actions, and your love flow through us to others — because the Kingdom of God lives in us.
Monday 22nd December
Dear Lord, may we be aware that you are Immanuel, and that you are with us at all times and in all situations. We give you thanks and praise for your wonderful love.
Tuesday 23rd December
Lord, we pray for all who will be travelling at this time. Grant them safe journeys and happy reunions with their loved ones.
Wednesday 24th December
Lord, we pray for our services today. Bless Claudia as she leads the Crib Service and all the families that attend. Be with Judith, as she leads and preaches at the Midnight Service. May many who attend find Jesus and his love reflected in the words that they shall hear.
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Thursday 25th December
Collect for Christmas Day. "Almighty God, you have given us your only begotten Son to take our nature upon him and at this time be born 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 Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever."
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Friday 26th December
Christ, born in a stable, give courage to the homeless. Christ who fled to Egypt, comfort the refugee. Christ who fasted in the desert, have mercy on the hungry. Christ who hung in torture on the cross, pity those in pain. Christ who died to save us, above all forgive our sin, our greed our selfishness, our unconcern. Save us today and use us in your loving purposes.
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Saturday 27th December
Remember our brothers and sisters Lord in the Persecuted Church, bless their worship of you at this season and keep them safe. May they rejoice with us at your Coming to Earth as our Lord and Saviour.
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Heavenly Father, please accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
​​At all our services we pray for those who are sick, in need and for the bereaved by name. Please do let us know if you would like specific prayer for anyone, and they will be included on our prayer list.