Lectionary resources for Christmas Day Year C

Lectionary - Christmas Day Year C

Readings for Christmas Day
Isaiah 52:7-10 The messenger who brings good news
Psalm 98 O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things
Hebrews 1:1-4 in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son
John 1:1-14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us

Readings for Christmas Eve [Carols and Eucharist see separate service]:
Isaiah 9:2-7 a son is given to us ... Prince of Peace
Psalm 96 O sing to the Lord a new song ... all the earth
Titus 2:11-14 The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all
Luke 2:1-20 The birth of Jesus

Other possible readings for carols and lessons [from Year C lectionary +]:
Jeremiah 33: 14-16 The days are coming
Micah 5:2-5a Prophecy of Bethlehem
[Luke 1:5-7 Announcement of the coming birth of John the Baptist]
[Luke 1:57-66(67) The birth of John the Baptist]
Luke 1:68-79 The song of Zechariah (The Benedictus)
Luke 3:1-17 The preaching of John the Baptist
Luke 1:26-38 The announcement of the coming birth of Jesus
[Matthew 1:18-23 The announcement to Joseph]
Luke 1:46-45 The song of Mary (The Magnificat)
Luke 2:1-7 The birth of Jesus
Luke 3:8-20 The angels and the shepherds
[Matthew 2:1-12 The visit of the wise men]

Possible hymns for Christmas Eve (see also Advent 4) from Australian Hymn Book (AHB) and Together in Song (TIS)
197 (TIS 269) Hark the glad sound
224 (TIS 268) Joy to the world
229 (TIS 305) Let earth and heaven combine
236 (TIS 311) Silent night
237 (TIS 312) Once in Royal David's city
243 (TIS 317) Love came down at Christmas
245 (TIS 321) Coldly the night winds winging
418 (TIS 497) Let all mortal flesh keep silence
215 (TIS 290) Of the father's love begotten
225 (TIS 292) Infant holy, infant lowly

Advent and Christmas Hymns from Sing Alleluia
SA 51 (TIS 327) In the fields near Bethlehem
SA 88 To Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love
SA 98 (TIS 285) Your coming, Lord, to earth in Bethlehem
SA 10 At the first coming of the Lord
SA 39 (TIS 636) God has spoken to this people
SA 61 (TIS 283) Long ago, prophets knew

Possible hymns for Christmas Day
234 (TIS 310) Brightest and best of the sons of the morning
231 (TIS 306) Christians, awake, salute the happy morn
227 (TIS 303) ark! the herald angels sing
228 (TIS 304) O come all ye faithful
196 (TIS 56) [Psalm 98] O sing a new song to the Lord
244 The maker of the sun and moon
223 (TIS 299) While shepherds watched their flocks
242 (TIS 318) Away in a manger
MHB 151 Who is he, in yonder stall

LITURGY FOR LIGHTING THE ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS CANDLES
[A family group or individual comes to the table and one reads:]

After counting the weeks of Advent we have come to Christmas Day.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined. Isaiah 9:2

[Four coloured candles are lit first and then the white candle, and reading continues.]

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. John 1:9
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Sermon summary (click here for complete sermon)

The Word Became Flesh

Let us try to see the big picture. Why is the Christmas story significant?
What we believe is about questions like: What was the purpose of God in creation? Why are we here?

The role of Christ in God's plan for the world
The secret purpose or mystery of God's will was to bring everything into a unity with himself. Ephes. 1:9,10. Our destiny is to be in a relationship with God.

The work of Christ for the Kingdom of God
There were problems in the way of God's plan for us. In Christ God rescued us -- that is why he is called saviour -- releasing us from a power that could keep us from fulfilling our destiny to be with God. Col.1:13-20

Who was he who could do these things?
For Paul He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for John .. All things came into being through him...and the Word became flesh ..John 1:1-14

What difference does it make?
.. if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation 2 Corinthians 5:16-18
.. the offer of eternal life:- John 3:16 Glory to God on the highest. Luke 2:14.

Order of service - Christmas Day Year C - | DB Home | RCL Resources Index |

The Gathering of the People of God

CALL TO WORSHIP
I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:10-11
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours! Luke 2:14

HYMN Christians, awake, salute the happy morn AHB 231 TIS 306
LIGHTING THE ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS CANDLES [See liturgy above]

PRAYER OF ADORATION
CONFESSION
Loving God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed: we have not loved you with all our heart or served you with all our strength; we have been blind to the vision of a renewed world; we have been indifferent to the suffering of others and unwilling to forgive one another. In your mercy, Lord, pardon and restore us, that we may recover the mystery of love you have given to us in Jesus Christ, so that remembering his birth, death and resurrection, we may serve you with joy all the days of our life. Amen.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. -- John 3:16
Hear then Christ's word of grace to us: Your sins are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.

DOXOLOGY:
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" Luke 2:13-14

WELCOME AND GREETING EACH OTHER [THE PEACE]

The Service of the Word

INTRODUCTION OF THEME
A WORD TO THE CHILDREN: The Christmas Story.
HYMN Away in a manger AHB 242 TIS 318

OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 52:7-10 The messenger who brings good news
[PSALM 98 O sing to the Lord a new song]
[EPISTLE Hebrews 1:1-4 in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son]
GOSPEL John 1:1-14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us

HYMN Joy to the world AHB 224 TIS 268

SERMON

CANTICLE FOR CHRISTMAS AND EPIPHANY
Blessed are you, O Christ, our God;
you were before time began,
and came to the world to save us.
Blessed are you, Sun of righteousness;
you shine with the Father's love
and illumine the whole universe.
Blessed are you, Son of Mary;
born a child
you shared our humanity.
Blessed are you, son of David;
born to rule,
you received gifts from the wise men.
Blessed are you, Son of Man;
baptised by John,
you saved us from ourselves.
Blessed are you, heavenly King;
teaching and preaching, healing and comforting,
you proclaimed the kingdom.
With all the voices of heaven
we celebrate the coming of our Saviour.
Let heaven and earth shout their praise.
With all the creatures on earth
we sing and dance at your birth.
Praise and glory to you, O Lord Jesus Christ.

HYMN O come all ye faithful AHB 228 TIS 304

OFFERING [Hymn Love came down at Christmas AHB 243 TIS 317]
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
SHARING TIME [Notices, celebrations and requests for intercessions]
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
.....Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.

HYMN Hark! the herald angels sing AHB 227 TIS 303

The Sending Forth of the People of God

WORD OF MISSION
BLESSING
DISMISSAL Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.