CHRISTMAS-EVENING. HYMN. Oh, Christ! Redeemer of our race! Thou that art very Light of light! Remember, Lord of light and peace! To-day, as year by year its light 66 'Tis Thou hast saved us, Thou alone!" BLESSED Jesus, we adore Thee this night, as the eternal Word by whom the worlds were made, the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of His person,-yea, as God over all blessed for ever. For us men, and for our salvation, Thou didst come down from heaven, and become incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and wast made man. We bless Thee for Thine infinite condescension in consenting to be made a little lower than the angels, and to become a partaker of flesh and blood, that through death Thou mightest destroy death, and him that had the power of death; that is, the devil. We desire to thank Thee, at the close of this day, for our preservation hitherto; for all the supplies which have rendered life supportable, and all the indulgences which have rendered it comfortable. We praise Thee, above all, for the unspeakable gift of Thyself: that Thou hast crowned all Thy benefits by remembering us in our low estate, and inviting us to come for help to One who is mighty to save. O convince us of our need of this Thy Divine dispensation of mercy and grace and may we acquiesce in it, not with coldness of assent, but with gladness of heart. Though Thou art still despised and rejected of men, may we receive Thee as all our salvation, and all our desire: and may we shout aloud, with the multitude of Thy first disciples, "Hosanna! Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord." May we rejoice to behold Thee in a nature which leads Thee to call us brethren; in which, as our example, Thou canst go before us in the duties of obedience and submission; in which Thou canst sympathize with us in all our sorrows; and in which Thou hast endured those sufferings for our sins, which have purchased our reconciliation with God. May we look to Thee for all we want, and live a life of faith upon Thy fulness. In Thee may we know that we have redemption through Thy blood, are possessed of righteousness and strength, and become enriched with all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. May we ever connect Thy work for us in the flesh, with Thy work in us by the Spirit. While we are reconciled to God by Thy death, may we be saved unto God by Thy life: and always remember that Thy name is Jesus, because Thou dost save Thy people from their sins. And as Thou hast come, not only that we might have life, but have it more abundantly, may our expectations be large, and our desires importunate. Fill our minds with joy and peace in believing. And from a sense of Thy love to us, may we abound in love one towards another, endeavouring to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and to diffuse the savour of Thy name among all around us. Thou hast told us, that unto them that look for Thee, Thou wilt appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Prepare us all for that solemn day. May we believe in Thee as our Saviour before we meet Thee as our Judge: that when the tribes of the earth shall wail be cause of Thee, we may lift up our heads with joy, knowing that our redemption draweth nigh. And may we be able to say with Thy ransomed Church,-"Lo! this is our God, we have waited for Him, He will save us : this is the Lord, we have waited for Him, we will rejoice and be glad in His salvation." O Saviour and Light of the world, arise and shine upon the nations which are lying in darkness. Pour out of Thy Spirit, as Thou hast promised, upon all flesh. Prosper the humble efforts of Thy ministering servants, and make them wise, zealous, and successful in the dispensation of Thy Word: and let signs and wonders be wrought in the name of Thy holy Child Jesus. : May the root of Jesse stand for an ensign to the people to it may the Gentiles seek, and let His rest be glorious. May He come down, like rain upon the mown grass, as showers that water the earth. In His days may the righteous flourish, and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. Let all nations be blessed in Him, and all generations call Him blessed. And blessed be His glorious name for ever, and let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen. Our Father, etc. NEW YEAR'S EVE. HYMN. While with ceaseless course the sun They have done with all below: We a little longer wait; But how little, none can know. As the winged arrow flies, Darts, and leaves no trace behind: Swiftly thus our fleeting days Bear us down life's rapid stream; OST gracious God, before Thee who art MOST from everlasting to everlasting, we bow down ourselves this evening in humility and gratitude. By Thy good hand upon us, we have been preserved during another year. Help us to look back upon the scenes through which we have passed, and to trace the course of Thy merciful providence in its various dealings with us. Bring to our remembrance the mercies we have enjoyed, the dangers we have escaped, the discipline we have undergone, and the support and consolation we have experienced. Let us not |