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On the rare occasion that a Sunday falls between New Year's Day and the Epiphany, the service of the Circumcision is effectively repeated. Before the English Reformation, the services for one of the three Holy Days after Christmas would have been repeated as these had simple Octaves, or the Vigil Mass for the Epiphany would have been said on January 5th.

Christ's Circumcision is viewed as the first time that he bleed for us, as in being Circumcised he submitted himself to the Mosaic Law. A different Preface is used during the Canon on this day then from the Octave of Christmas.

At the Mass

The following is taken from:

Same as the Circumcision, except with a different Preface.

The Introit

Antiphon: Isaiah 9 Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his Name shall be called, Angel of mighty counsel.

Verse: Psalm 98 O sing unto the Lord a new song: for he hath done marvellous things.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Repeat the Antiphon Unto us a Child ...

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 15-17

The Collects

 Almighty God, who hast given us thy only begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure Virgin: Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

For the Circumcision.

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 Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 115

The Lesson
Isaiah 9. 2.

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9:2-7 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 116

Gradual and Alleluia

Psalm 98 All the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God: O be joyful in God, all ye lands. The Lord hath declared his salvation: in the sight of the heathen his righteousness hath he openly shewed his righteousness.

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 15-17

Alleluia. Alleluia. Hebrews 1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets: hath in these last days unto us by his son. Alleluia.

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Page 25

The Gospel
St. Luke 2. 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.

Luke 2:15-21 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 116-117

The Offertory

Psalm 89 The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine; thou hast laid the foundation of the round world, and all that therein is: righteousness and equity are the habitation of thy seat.

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 15-17

The Preface

After the Octave of Christmas to the Eve of the Epiphany, and upon the Feasts of the Purification and of the Transfiguration.

Because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, thou hast caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of thy glory, in the face of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore with Angels, etc.

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 79

The Communion

Zephaniah 3.14-15 Be joyful, O daughter of Sion, sing praises, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king cometh; he is righteous and having salvation.

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 15-17

At the Offices

Morning Prayer

Psalm(s): 85, 113
First Lesson: Isaiah 41:21-end
Second Lesson: 1 John 1:1-2:6
NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

Evening Prayer

Psalm(s): 125, 126, 127
First Lesson: Isaiah 55
Second Lesson: Luke 2:22-40
NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages xviii, xix and l