aw, to
redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the
adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth
the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son,
then an heir of God through Christ.

THE GOSPEL. St Matth. i. 18.

The birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother
Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was
found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband,
being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example,
was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these
things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a
dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto
thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the
Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call
his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins.
(Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was
spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a Virgin shall
be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call
his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.) Then
Joseph, being raised from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had
bidden him, and took unto him his wife; and knew her not till she
had brought forth her first-born son: and he called his name JESUS.

THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST

_January_ 1.

THE COLLECT.

Almighty God, who madest thy blessed Son to be circumcised, and
obedient to the law for man: Grant us the true circumcision of the
Spirit; that, our hearts, and all our members, being mortified
from all worldly and carnal lusts, we may in all things obey thy
blessed will; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
_Amen_.

THE EPISTLE. Rom. iv. 8.

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Cometh
this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the
uncircumcision also? For we say, that faith was reckoned to
Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was
in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but
in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a
seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being
uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all them that
believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might
be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumci