08. Year B - First Sunday after Christmas

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VERSION: 9 April 2002

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS, YEAR B

In 2002: 29 Dec

In 2006: 1 Jan

In 2008: 28 Dec

In 2012: 1 Jan

In 2014: 28 Dec

- - -

In some traditions, this Sunday is called 'The Festival of the Holy Family'. The gospel reading for the day reflects something of Jesus' own family. For this reason, it may be appropriate to observe a family emphasis on this day, especially in the intercessions.

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.

When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,

born of a woman, under the law,

in order to redeem those who were under the law,

so that we might receive adoption as children. (Gal 4:4-7 NRSV)

OR

This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel,

and to be a sign that will be spoken against,

so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.

And a sword will pierce your own soul too. (Luke 2:34,35 NIV)

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 and eternal God,

direct our actions according to your good pleasure,

that in the name of your beloved Son

we may be made to abound in good works;

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 and eternal God,

direct our actions according to your good pleasure.

Make us rich in good works,

in the name of your dear Son,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, alternative

(Let us pray that we may love one another as God has loved us. [silence])

Lord, help us,

in all our dealings with one another,

to be subject to you, the Father of all.

May we follow the pattern of your Son, Jesus Christ,

who was obedient to your will,

and gave up his life for us.

For he lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, new

(Let us pray that through Jesus we share in God's nature. [silence])

Almighty and merciful God,

we thank you for sending your Son

to become human like us,

so that we might become your children.

Make us who trust in Jesus

to be more and more like him.

For he lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, one of the collects for Christmas Day

FIRST READING

Isaiah 61:10 - 62:3 The Lord will save his people

PSALM

Psalm 148

Antiphon:

His glory(or The glory of the Lord) is above earth and heaven. (Alleluia.) (Ps 148:13b NRSV)

If the psalm is to be spoken, this responsive version may be used:

Praise the Lord from the heavens;

praise him in the heights!

Praise the Lord!

All his angels; all his host!

Praise the Lord!

Sun and moon; and all you shining stars!

Praise the Lord!

You highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

Praise the Lord!

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

Praise the Lord!

You sea monsters and all deeps!

Praise the Lord!

Fire and hail, snow and frost,

stormy wind fulfilling his command!

Praise the Lord!

Mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars!

Praise the Lord!

Wild animals and all cattle,

creeping things and flying birds!

Praise the Lord!

Kings of the earth and all peoples,

princes and all rulers of the earth!

Praise the Lord!

Young men and women alike,

old and young together!

Praise the Lord!

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him.

Praise the Lord!

SECOND READING

Galatians 4:4-7 God sent his Son to free us

ALLELUIA VERSE (Luke 2:40 NRSV)

Alleluia, alleluia.

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;

and the favour of God was upon him. (Alleluia.)

Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Luke 2:22-40 Simeon and Anna see Jesus

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 coming

as the Messiah that God had promised.

Help us to acknowledge you as our Saviour.

Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER

Thank you, Lord,

for sending your Son Jesus Christ to save us

and to set us free from sin

and the condemnation of the law.

Lead us to live as people who are truly free to serve you.

May your Spirit live in our hearts

and guide us to do your will.

Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Call to prayer

In the birth of our Saviour, we have seen the salvation that God has prepared in the presence of all peoples. Let us pray to God our Father for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

The regular response, OR:

Lord, you have given us your salvation:

Hear the prayer of your servants.

Suggested intercessions

Concluding prayer

Lord, you remember your promises, and you give your life and salvation to those who wait for you. Hear our prayers, through Jesus Christ our Lord, 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.

POST-COMMUNION CANTICLE

Whichever order is used, use the Song of Simeon for the post-communion canticle. For versions of this canticle, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Hymns and songs', both 'Post-communion song' and 'Canticles', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

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) at this point. It may be modified as follows.

Lord, as we have received

the body and blood of your Son

in this sacrament,

help us to be subject to you,

the Father of all,

and follow the pattern of Christ,

who, in obedience to your will,

gave up his life for us,

yet 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, living as people the Lord has saved.

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 61:10 - 62:3 Part of Third Sunday of Advent

LHS

AT

TIS

Second reading: Galatians 4:4-7

LHS

AT

TIS

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

LHS

AT

TIS

PSALM 148

For musical settings of Psalm 148, see Music Packages 1, 4, 7 and 8.

A paraphrased version of Psalm 148 from the Iona Community may be found in John L Bell, Psalms of patience, protest and praise on page 57 (also available in TIS 94). Another song version is 'Great in power', ATW 426.

There are also two hymns based partly on this psalm: 'O praise ye the Lord', LH 468 / 'Sing praise to the Lord', TIS 96; and 'Praise the Lord, ye/you heavens adore him', sung to Austria (LH 458, TIS 93). However, the second verse of the latter is not a paraphrase of the psalm. The Psalter (1912) gives two extra verses that are true paraphrases of the psalm, which are provided here in a modernised form. The first verse below is the modernised text from TIS.

Praise the Lord, you heavens adore him;

praise him, angels in the height;

sun and moon, rejoice before him,

praise him, all you stars and light.

Praise the Lord, for he has spoken,

worlds his mighty voice obeyed:

laws, that never shall be broken,

for their guidance he has made.

On the earth let all things praise him:

seas and all that they contain,

stormy winds that do his bidding,

hail and lightning, snow and rain.

Hills and mountains, praise your Maker;

praise him, all you flocks and herds.

Fields and orchards, sing his glory;

praise him, creeping things and birds.

All you nations, come before him:

earthly rulers and all kings,

men and women, parents, children,

join with all created things.

Praise the God of our salvation,

who restores from sin and shame.

Heaven and earth and all creation,

praise and glorify his name.

FAMILY HYMNS AND SONGS

As today is sometimes celebrated as a day of special emphasis on families, the following hymns and songs are also appropriate.

LHS

AT

TIS

COVENTRY CAROL

The medieval Coventry Carol ('Lullay, thou little tiny child') is well suited for singing on this day. The text is as follows, and the tune may be found in Together at Christmas (LPH 1987), the Oxford Book of Carols, or a similar Christmas carol book.

      by by, lully, lullay.

      Lullay, thou little tiny child,

      by by, lully, lullay.

      for to preserve this day -

      this poor youngling, for whom we sing,

      by by, lully, lullay.

      charged he hath this day

      his men of might, in his own sight,

      all children young to slay.

      And ever morn and day,

      for thy parting nor say nor sing

      by by, lully, lullay.

NOTES ON THE READINGS

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Notes on the readings', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

ISAIAH 61:10 - 62:3: Today's reading from Isaiah assures the promise of release and restoration made to despondent Jews in Babylonian slavery, and to depressed Jews still living around the demolition and ruins of Jerusalem. The prophet firstly tells of spiritual restoration. What greater exultation can there be than to be dressed by God's hand in salvation and righteousness? Great reason for God's praise being seen by the nations! Jerusalem, another name for God's people, will be seen to be acquitted. This exoneration from requited sins shines like a bright light when God says it!

GALATIANS 4:4-7: God's son, being born of a woman, is fully human and therefore under God's law. God, who gave the law, being completely holy, doesn't need it for himself. His Son, also being fully God, could therefore keep that law perfectly as no human ever did or can do. Having satisfied his Father's requirements for perfection, Mary's Son could die as a substitute for the whole guilty world. The infinite unpayable price for sin is thereby paid. We are redeemed - bought back and freed from slavery. Indeed we cry, 'Dear Father'.

LUKE 2:22-40: Jesus is seen to be 'under the law' right from the start. His presentation, however, is more noteworthy because of an old man's prophetic recognition of Messiahship in the shape of a helpless infant in the arms of a humble working couple. Simeon was ready to die now that he had seen the arrival of God's salvation. Note the remarkable knowledge that this salvation would go out to all the non-Jewish nations also! Anna's prophecy also clearly details the infant's future role as redeemer of God's people. God's Spirit always draws people to what God wills for their eternal life with him.

VISUAL

VISUALS FOR THE READINGS

Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings. For instance, the second reading could be accompanied by a simplified drawing of a person with chains falling off hands to symbolise liberation.

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 could be read by more than one person to make the dramatic meaning of the text clearer. For instance, the gospel could be read with an additional reader reading the part of Simeon. Or it could be acted or mimed (eg by children) during the reading.

BLESSING OF FAMILIES

If there is a family emphasis on this day, and families are prayed for, families in the congregation may also be blessed. Depending on the size of the congregation and how many families there are, it might be better to restrict the blessing to families with children or those with babies. Note the suggestions (and the cautions about the possibility of unintentionally causing hurt) in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Blessings of people', in the 'General and seasonal' folder. Before or after the prayer of the church, familes could be invited up, and after a suitable word of God and a brief prayer, a blessing such as the following could be said as hands are briefly laid on each family, or at least on the children: 'I bless you, the N family, in all you do, in the name of the Father and of the Son+ and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.'

PROCESSION WITH CANDLES

The gospel for today is the same as that for the festival of the Presentation (2 February). If this festival is not observed, it may be appropriate to observe the following custom on this day.

After the confession and absolution, a blessing of the candles for use in the coming year may take place. As well as altar candles, include any other candles that may be used from time to time, eg the candles for the Advent wreath or for the Easter vigil. Also have enough hand-held candles for the gathered congregation. These are all placed (unlit, of course) on a table near the altar. The blessing prayer is as follows.

Lord God, heavenly Father,

your Son Jesus Christ is the true light

who has come into the world.

May these candles be a sign of Christ

who sacrificed himself

to shine his light on us.

As we light them

when we gather to hear your word

and to receive your holy sacrament,

may your Holy Spirit enlighten our hearts

with the fire of his love.

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.

Then the hand-held candles are distributed to those who are present and lit. The congregation may follow the minister(s) in procession around the church, during the singing of an appropriate hymn, eg:

The congregation may extinguish their candles after the procession, but traditionally they are relit for the reading of the gospel and for the liturgy of the Lord's supper (from the preface until after communion).

CHILDREN

CHILDREN AND THE READINGS

The children could be involved in a miming of the gospel. See above under 'Dramatising the readings'.

FAMILY EMPHASIS

If there is a family emphasis on this day, make sure the children are particularly included - eg by reference, special song, special activity, blessing.

'COME AND SEE JESUS'

The Come and See Jesus curriculum published by Openbook Publishers has a wealth of material and ideas that may be adapted for use in worship. Please note that a new edition of this material is now available for the Revised Common Lectionary.

This week's story is 'Jesus presented in the temple (Luke 2:21-40)'. Material for this story may be found in

Original Edition, 1 Christmas, year B (in 3rd Series A book)

OR

Revised RCL Edition, same