05. Year C - Christmas Proper I

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VERSION: 9 April 2002

CHRISTMAS PROPER I, YEARS A, B, C

(24/25 December)

We suggest that Proper I be used for the first service at Christmas, especially if it takes place on Christmas Eve or during the night.

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.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.

They lived in a land of shadows, but now light is shining on them.

(Isa 9:2 TEV)

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

O God, since you have made

this most holy night

shine with the brightness of the true Light:

Grant that as we have known on earth

the mysteries of that Light,

we may also come

to the fullness of his joys in heaven;

through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, alternative

(Let us pray for full life through Christ. [silence])

Loving Father,

you sent your only Son into the world

so that we might have life through him.

May we who celebrate his birth

on this most holy night

come at last to full life in your heavenly kingdom;

where he lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, new (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 9:2-7 A Son is given to us

PSALM

Psalm 96

Antiphon:

Today a Saviour has been born to us; he is Christ the Lord.

SECOND READING

Titus 2:11-14 The grace of God has appeared

ALLELUIA VERSE (Luke 2:10,11 comp)

Alleluia, alleluia.

I am bringing you good news of great joy:

to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,

who is Christ, the Lord. Alleluia.

Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) Today the Saviour is born

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.

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 second prayer of the day (as listed above). It may be modified as follows.

Loving Father,

you sent your only Son into the world

so that we might have life through him.

May we who have celebrated his human birth

in this most holy sacrament

come at last to full life in your heavenly kingdom;

where 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 9:2-7

LHS

AT

TIS

Second reading: Titus 2:11-14

LHS

AT

TIS

Gospel: Luke 2:1-14(15-20)

From Christmas sections, especially:

LHS

AT

TIS

As 'Glory to God in the highest':

LHS

AT

TIS

PSALM 96

For musical settings of Psalm 96, see Music Packages 1, 4, 7 and 10. See also TIS 54 O sing a new song to the Lord.

For a song version, see ATW 468, 'Sing a new song'. Or the following paraphrase of Psalm 96 by David Sch¸tz may be sung to the tune 'The happy Christmas comes once more' (LH 628) or 'Church Triumphant' (LH 227, TIS 98). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

Come, sing a new song to the Lord,

come, sing a new song, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, and bless his name,

that all may know his saving grace.

Let heav'n be glad, let earth rejoice;

let sea and all its creatures roar.

Let field exult, and all in it;

let trees and forests sing for joy.

Rejoice before the coming Lord,

for he shall come to judge the earth,

to judge the earth with righteousness -

he judges nations with his truth.

This second version of Psalm 96, also by David Sch¸tz, may be sung to the alternative tune for 'O little town of Bethlehem', namely St Louis, which may be found in Lutheran Worship no. 60 or Gather Australia no. 296 (note: not Forest Green). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

O sing a new song to the Lord,

sing to him all the earth.

Sing to the Lord and bless his name;

tell of this saving birth.

Declare his marv'llous glory,

the works that he has done,

for he is greatly to be praised,

he's given us his Son.

We honour him who made the heav'ns,

above all other gods,

for they are only wood and stone,

but he's our living God.

All majesty and glory,

all beauty, strength and might

shine from his humble manger-bed,

his santu'ry tonight.

O families of the nations, give

all glory to the Lord;

O come and bring an offering,

and come into his courts.

O worship him in splendour,

and tremble, all the earth:

and say tonight 'The Lord is King!'

and wonder at this birth.

He sets the world firm in its place,

and judges equally.

Let heav'n be glad, let earth rejoice

and all that fills the sea;

let field and beast and forest

rise up to greet with joy

the coming of our righteous King:

the Virgin's baby boy.

OTHER CHRISTMAS SONGS

Sing to Jesus (not in the Lutheran Hymnal and Supplement)

See also Together at Christmas (Lutheran Publishing House, 1987).

For other suggestions of hymns/songs for Christmas, see the document 'Christmas season', under 'Hymns and songs', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

See also the selections for Christmas Propers II and III.

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.

VISUALS FOR THE READINGS

Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings. For instance, during the first reading a picture like the one in TEV for Isaiah 9:2 could be displayed. During the reading of the gospel, a picture of Mary with the baby Jesus could be displayed, or a drawing/symbol of the crib.

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.