06. Year B - Christmas Proper II

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VERSION: 9 April 2002

CHRISTMAS PROPER II, YEARS A, B, C

(24/25 December)

Proper II is most suitable for early Christmas morning, or, if Proper I was used at an earlier service on Christmas Eve, Proper II may be used for a midnight service.

Note: For explanations and suggestions on the various resources provided, see the documents 'General notes and resources' and 'Christmas season' in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

LITURGY

SENTENCE

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.

See, your Saviour comes!

His reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. (Isa 62:11b NIV)

OR

Do not be afraid; for see - 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.

This will be a sign for you:

you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. (Luke 2:10-12 NRSV)

OR, use the standard Christmas Sentence in the document 'Christmas season', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

OR, use one of the general Sentences in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)

Tradiitonal

Almighty God,

grant that we who are enlightened

by the new light of your incarnate Word

may show in our deeds

the light that by faith shines in our hearts;

through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, modernised traditional

Almighty God,

you enlighten us with the new light

of your incarnate Word.

May we show in our deeds

the light that by faith shines in our hearts.

We ask this through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, new (revised alternative)

(Let us pray that we shine as lights in the world. [silence])

Thank you, loving Father,

for filling the world with the new light

of your Word who became a human being.

Keep the flame of faith and love

burning in our hearts

and shining in our lives.

For he lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, new, for use at night (based on traditional)

(Let us pray for true Christmas joy. [silence])

Lord God,

we thank you for making this holy night shine

with the true light of your Son.

As we celebrate his birth as a human child,

fill us with the joy of heaven.

For he lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

FIRST READING

Isaiah 62:6-12 Your Saviour comes

PSALM

Psalm 97

Antiphon:

A child has been born for us, a son given to us. (based on Isa 9:6)

OR

A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.

SECOND READING

Titus 3:4-7 Saved by God's love

SEQUENCE

This translation, by David Sch¸tz, is based on the 12th Century text Laetabundus exultet fidelis, chorus: Alleluia! by St Bernard of Clairvaux. It is sung to the tune Infant holy (LHS 741, TIS 292).

Alleluia! Faithful choir,

come, rejoice, exult and sing!

See and wonder, how a virgin

has brought forth the King of kings!

Like an angel for our counsel,

like a sun born from a star,

never setting, always high!

always shining, always bright!

See the star shine forth its ray, and

see the Virgin show her Son.

He, her maker, she, his mother,

but in human nature one.

Like a cedar bending earthwards,

to become a lowly plant,

so the Word takes on our form,

as a human child is born.

Human race, so poor and wretched,

why delay your happiness?

Turn and hasten, trust the prophet,

who foretold this great event.

Come, consider now the baby

whom the Scriptures teach and praise,

and believe in Christ the Lord:

Son of Mary and true God.

ALLELUIA VERSE

Alleluia, alleluia.

Glory to God in the highest,

and peace to God's people on earth. Alleluia.

Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20 The shepherds hear the good news of the birth of Christ

The words 'Light of the world' could be added to the gospel acclamations, giving:

Glory to you, O Lord, Light of the world.

Praise to you, O Christ, Light of the world.

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL

This is the gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ (, Light of the world).

Lord Jesus, thank you for being born a baby in Bethlehem.

Help us always to give glory and praise to God.

Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER

Lord, help us to take the angel's message to heart,

and to realise that the birth of Jesus our Saviour

is good news for us and for all people.

Lead us to give glory to you

by a life of joyful service

to you and to other people.

Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

See the suggestions in the document 'Christmas season', under 'Prayer of the church', 'A litany of intercession' and 'A prayer of thanks and commitment', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

OR, use the following.

Call to prayer

On this day of our Saviour's birth, we praise God and offer him thanks, and we pray for the world into which his Son was born.

The regular response, OR:

We pray to the Lord:

Glory to God in the highest.

Suggested petitions

The following from 'A festival of Christmas readings and carols' could be used as a basis for petitions:

Look in mercy

Concluding prayer

Father, by the birth of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, you have opened the way to new birth for all the world. Hear our prayers on behalf of the world, and grant us new and everlasting life in him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

SEASONAL PREFACE

It is indeed right and good,

Lord God, holy Father,

that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks to you,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You have revealed your glorious presence to us

in a new way

through the mystery of the Word made flesh,

so that as we see you in your Son,

we are drawn to love you

whom we cannot see.

And so, with angels and archangels,

and with all the company of heaven,

we adore and praise your glorious name:

COMMUNION INVITATION

Jesus says: 'I am the living bread

that came down from heaven.

The bread that I will give you is my flesh,

which I give so that the world may live.'

(Thanks be to God.)

Come, everything is ready.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

For a Christmas post-communion prayer, see the document 'Christmas season', under 'Prayer after communion', in the 'General and seasonal' folder. Alternatively, use the third prayer of the day (as listed above). It may be modified as follows.

Thank you, loving Father,

for filling the world with the new light

of your Word who became a human being.

As we have been fed with his body and blood,

keep the flame of faith and love

burning in our hearts

and shining in our lives.

For he lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

SEASONAL BLESSING

This seasonal blessing is used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.

Christ the Son of God give you joy and peace by his presence with you; . . .

DISMISSAL

Go in peace, and live in the joy of Christmas.

Thanks be to God.       OR In the name of Christ. Amen.

HYMNS AND SONGS

FOR THE READINGS

Please note:        * =        Modernised version available

      G3, G4 . . . =        Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .

      GS =        Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH

First reading: Isaiah 62:6-12

LHS

AT

TIS

Second reading: Titus 3:4-7

LHS

AT

TIS

Gospel: Luke 2:(1-7)8-20

See suggestions for Proper I

VISUAL

MANGER SCENE

If a full manger scene has not been set up in the church, a manger made of wood, with straw in it, may be placed at the foot of the pulpit or lectern. During the reading of the gospel, an icon of Christ (rather than a doll!) may be laid on the straw. This visually connects the incarnation with the word of God. If a manger was used in the children's presentation the night before, this may be the same manger.

VISUALS FOR THE READINGS

Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings. For instance, the first reading could be accompanied by a picture of the building of a road, like the one in TEV for Isaiah 62:10, and the gospel could be accompanied by a picture of Mary with the baby Jesus or a drawing/symbol of the crib. Or a symbol of a manger (with crown) or a candle or heraldic angel may be displayed.

DRAMA

'MEGA DRAMA'

See a drama for the day in Mega Drama resources (Openbook Publishers), originally included in these worship resources when they were released on disks.

DRAMATISING THE READINGS

The readings can be read by more than one person to make the dramatic meaning of the text clearer. For instance, the gospel could be read by various readers: narrator, angel, group of angels (children could be angels), shepherd.

Alternatively, consider using a gospel procession for the reading of the gospel. This is particularly appropriate for Christmas Day. For details, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Gospel procession', as well as the document 'Christmas season', under 'Gospel procession', both in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

PROCESSION TO THE MANGER SCENE

A procession to the manger scene may form part of the service. It may take place after the sermon or creed. For details, see the document 'Christmas season', under 'Procession to the manger scene', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

A CHRISTMAS DIALOGUE

See the document 'Christmas season', under 'A Christmas dialogue', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for a dialogue which has been adapted by David Schubert from an 11th century Christmas trope (ie a chanted Latin dialogue). The short drama is conducted after the 'Glory to God in the highest' before the prayer of the day (collect).

CHILDREN

INVOLVING CHILDREN

See the document 'Service with the Christmas story' in the 'Rites and services' folder.

With care, children can join in holding/carrying candles. They can be involved in making displaying symbols for Christmas. If there is a manger scene and/or Christmas tree, make sure they see it/them. Involve children in singing well-known Christmas carols - but not just as a performance for adult sentimental gratification. For more details on involving children, see the document 'Christmas season', under 'Children', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.