Let us pray with confidence 
as our Saviour has taught us.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

Breaking of the Bread
We break this bread
to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.

Giving of Communion
Draw near with faith
Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ
which he gave for you,
and his blood which he shed for you.
Eat and drink
in remembrance that he died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts 
by faith with thanksgiving.

The president and people receive the Holy Communion
Baptized persons who are communicant members of other Churches which subscribe to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, and are in good standing in their own Church may receive Communion. 
Any person may come to the altar for a blessing. 
Holding a book is a useful signal to the ministers
Carols may be sung during the distribution.

Prayer after Communion
The President says the Post Communion prayer.
All praise to you,
almighty God and heavenly king,
who sent your Son into the world
to take our nature upon him
and to be born of a pure virgin:
grant that, as we are born again in him,
so he may continually dwell in us
and reign on earth as he reigns in heaven,
now and for ever. 
Amen.
All may say this prayer
Almighty God,
we thank you for feeding us
with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Through him we offer you our souls and bodies
to be a living sacrifice.
Send us out
in the power of your Spirit
to live and work
to your praise and glory. Amen.

	The Dismissal
A carol may be sung here, or after the dismissal
The president may use the seasonal blessing,
May the joy of the angels, 
the eagerness of the shepherds, 
the perseverance of the wise men, 
the obedience of Joseph and Mary, 
and the peace of the Christ child 
be yours this Christmas; 
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 
be among you and remain with you always. 
Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.

Common Worship © Archbishops’ Council.

The Royal Army Chaplains Department
Christmas Communion
For an informal morning service.        Common Worship

Words in bold type are said by all.
Words in normal type are said by a minister.
Words in italics are instructions called rubrics.

The Gathering
A Carol may be sung as the ministers enter.
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father 
and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you
and also with you.

The Prayers of Penitence 
Christ the light of the world has come to dispel the darkness of our hearts. In his light let us examine ourselves and confess our sins.
The Virgin Mary accepted your call to be the mother of Jesus.  Forgive our disobedience to your will.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. 
Your Son our Saviour was born in poverty in a manger.
Forgive our greed and rejection of your ways. 
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. 
The shepherds left their flocks to go to Bethlehem.
Forgive our self-interest and lack of vision. 
Lord, have mercy.
Lord have mercy. 
The wise men followed the star to find Jesus the King.
Forgive our reluctance to seek you
Lord, have mercy.
Lord have mercy. 
The President says this absolution
May almighty God, who sent his Son into the world 
to save sinners, bring you his pardon and peace, 
now and for ever. Amen.

Carols and Songs of praise may be sung.

The president says The Collect,
God our Father, whose Word has come among us in the Holy Child of Bethlehem: may the light of faith illumine our hearts and shine in our words and deeds; through him who is Christ the Lord. Amen.
	The Liturgy of the Word
There may be a reading and a carol prior to the gospel, which must always be read.

All remain standing.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 
according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.  Luke 2.1-8 – another may be substituted.
At the end
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
A carol may be sung.
Sermon or Children’s Address
A carol may be sung.
Prayers of Intercession
These words may be used
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
The intercessions may end
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
	The Liturgy of the Sacrament
The Peace is introduced using these words:
Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, 
and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
A Carol may be sung as the gifts are presented.

Eucharistic Prayer E with seasonal preface.
The Lord be with you 
and also with you. 
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
Father, it is our joy and delight, our reason for being,
to offer you thanks and praise.
All your actions show wisdom and love.
Through your Word you spoke creation into existence
and made us in your image and likeness.
When we disobeyed you and drew away from you,
you did not leave us in darkness
but sent your Son, the Word made flesh,
to be the light of the world.
Emptying himself of all but love, 
he was born of Mary,
shared our human nature and died on the cross.
Yet you have raised him from death to eternal life;
and through him you have sent 
your holy and life-giving Spirit
to make us your people, a people of light,
to reflect your glory in all the earth.
And so we gladly thank you, 
with saints and angels praising you, and saying:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

We praise and bless you, loving Father,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord;
and as we obey his command, send your Holy Spirit,
that broken bread and wine outpoured
may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.
On the night before he died 
he had supper with his friends
and, taking bread, he praised you.
He broke the bread, gave it to them and said:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
When supper was ended he took the cup of wine.
Again he praised you, gave it to them and said:
Drink this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many 
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, 
in remembrance of me.
So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did,
in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice
made once for all upon the cross.
Bringing before you the bread of life 
and cup of salvation,
we proclaim his death and resurrection
until he comes in glory.
Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.
Lord of all life,
help us to work together for that day
when your kingdom comes
and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.
Look with favour on your people,
gather us in your loving arms
and bring us with [N and] all the saints
to feast at your table in heaven.
Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father,
for ever and ever.
Amen.