Lectionary readings (Click the links to see the readings):
Isaiah 1.10 (11-15) 16-20 | Psalm 50.16-22 | Matthew 23.1-12

Lord of my life, whose law I fain would keep, whose fellowship I fain would enjoy and to whose service I would fain be loyal, I kneel before you as you send me forth to the work of another day.

For this new day I give you humble thanks: for its gladness and its brightness: for its long hours waiting to be filled with joyous and helpful labour: for its open doors of possibility: for its hope of new beginnings. Quicken in my heart, I beseech you, the desire to avail myself richly of this day's opportunity. Let me not break faith with any of yesterday's promises, nor leave unrepaired any of yesterday's wrongs. Let me see no fellow traveler in distress and pass by on the other side. Let me leave no height of duty behind me unattempted, nor any evil habit unassaulted. Where deed of mine can help to make this world a better place for others to live in, where word of mine can cheer a despondent heart or brace a weak will, where prayer of mine can hasten the coming of Christ's Kingdom, there let me do and speak and pray.

This day, O Lord—
give me courtesy:
give me meekness of bearing, with decision of character:
give me longsuffering:
give me charity:
give me chastity:
give me sincerity of speech:
give me diligence in my allotted task.

O you who in the fullness of time raised up our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to enlighten our hearts, with the knowledge of your love, grant me the grace to be worthy of his name. Amen.

—John Baillie. A Diary of Private Prayer (Oxford, 1936)

St Margaret's Chapel, in Edinburgh Castle, is the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh. Built in the 12th century, it fell into disuse after the Reformation but was restored in the 19th century. Since 1942 the St Margaret's Chapel Guild has cared for the chapel. Its membership is limited to people named Margaret and its tradition is that there are always fresh flowers in the chapel to welcome visitors.

Tàladh Chriosda, a Christmas eve hymn from the Barra, South Uist and Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides. Sung by Arthur Cormack.