sion to them
who are not of the circumcision only, but also walk in the steps
of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet
uncircumcised. For the promise, that he should be the heir of
the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law,
but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of
the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none
effect.

THE GOSPEL. St Luke ii. 15.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into
heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even
unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which
the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and
found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when
they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told
them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at
those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept
all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds
returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they
had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days
were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was
called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was
conceived in the womb.

_The same Collect, Epistle, and Gospel shall serve for every day
after unto the Epiphany_.

| THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
|
| _This Collect, Epistle, and Gospel may also be used on any day_
| _after the Circumcision unto the Epiphany_.
|
| THE COLLECT.
|
| O God, who hast given us grace at this time to celebrate the
| birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ: We laud and magnify thy
| glorious Name for the countless blessings which he hath brought
| unto us; and we beseech thee to grant that we may ever set forth
| thy praise in joyful obedience to thy will; through the same
| Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.
|
| THE EPISTLE. Titus iii. 4.
|
| After that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man
| appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done,
| but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of
| regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on
| us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being
| justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to
| the hope of eternal life.
|
| _Or_ 1 St John iv. 9.
|
| In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because t