Page:Book of common prayer (TEC, 1979).pdf/186

 Saint Stephen   December 26

We give thee thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed  for his persecutors to thy Son Jesus Christ, who standeth at  thy right hand; where he liveth and reigneth with thee and  the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Preface of the Incarnation

Saint John   December 27

Shed upon thy Church, we beseech thee, O Lord, the brightness of thy light; that we, being illumined by the  teaching of thine apostle and evangelist John, may so walk  in the light of thy truth, that we may at length attain to the  fullness of life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord,  who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one  God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Preface of the Incarnation

The Holy Innocents   December 28

We remember this day, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by the order of King Herod. Receive, we beseech thee, into the arms of thy mercy all innocent  victims; and by thy great might frustrate the designs of evil  tyrants and establish thy rule of justice, love, and peace;  through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with  thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and  ever. Amen.

Preface of the Incarnation