07. Year C - Christmas Proper III

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VERSION: 9 April 2002

CHRISTMAS PROPER III, YEARS A, B, C

(25 December)

Proper III for Christmas is intended for use at a later service on Christmas morning.

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.

How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,

who brings good news, who announces salvation,

who says to Zion, your God reigns.  (Isa 52:7 NRSV)

OR

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 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,

as you have given us your only Son

to take our nature upon himself,

and to be born of a pure virgin:

Grant that we who have been born again

and made your children by adoption and grace

may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit;

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 have given us your only Son

to take our nature upon himself,

and to be born of a pure virgin.

As we have been born again

and adopted as your children by grace,

so renew us daily by your Holy Spirit.

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, another traditional collect, modernised

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.

FIRST READING

Isaiah 52:7-10 The salvation of our God

PSALM

Psalm 98

Antiphon:

All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

(Ps 98:3b NRSV)

SECOND READING

Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12)  God speaks to us through his Son

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 fortold 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 (Heb 1:1,2a)

Alleluia, alleluia.

In the past God spoke through the prophets,

but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. Alleluia.

Alleluia.

For a song version, see below under 'Hymns and songs', 'Alleluia verse'.

GOSPEL

John 1:1-14 The eternal Word has become a human being

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, the Word of God,

thank you for becoming flesh and living among us.

Lead us to receive you in faith.

Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER

Lord, help us to put our faith in your Son,

and to live as your children.

Lead us to show your light to others

in our words and in our actions,

so that they, with us,

may know your peace, comfort and salvation.

Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Call to prayer

Our Father in heaven has given us the greatest gift possible: the gift of his own Son, the Word made flesh. Let us pray to God in the name of his Son.

The regular response, OR:

May your word live in us,

and bear much fruit to your glory.

Suggested petitions

Concluding prayer

Father, as we celebrate the mystery of the Word made flesh in the birth of Jesus Christ, may he live in us and we 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 fourth 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. Live in the light of the Lord.

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 52:7-10

LHS

TIS

Second reading: Hebrews 1:1-4(5-12)

LHS

AT

TIS

Gospel: John 1:1-14

LHS

AT

TIS

PSALM 98

The following paraphrase of Psalm 98 by David Sch¸tz may be sung to the tune Wir pfl¸gen ('We plough the fields and scatter', LH 563, TIS 130). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

Sing to the Lord a new song,

great wonders he has done!

For he has shown the victory

his mighty power has won.

The ends of earth have all seen

the saving acts of God.

Let all the earth shout praises;

ring out your song with joy!

Sing the Lord a new song,

from earth to heaven above:

'Alleluia, alleluia,

alleluia.'

Sing psalms and play the harp, and

with music praise the Lord!

Come, blow the trumpet! Sound the horn!

Acclaim the Lord your King!

Let seas and all that fills them,

with earth rise up and roar,

let rivers clap their hands, and

let hills ring out their joy!

For musical settings of Psalm 98, see Music Packages 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 9. See also TIS 56 O sing a new song to the Lord and 57 Sing to the Lord a new song.

The chorus of 'Sing a new song unto the Lord' (ATA 150) by Dan Schutte is based on Psalm 98. The song could be used for the psalm, although the verses are not really a translation of the psalm itself.

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 I and II.

ALLELUIA VERSE

The following alleluia verse by David Sch¸tz may be sung to the tune Infant holy (LHS 741, TIS 292).

Alleluia, alleluia;

alleluia, allelu!

God has spoken through his prophets

to his people in the past;

now he's spoken in these last days

through his Son to you and me!

Alleluia, allelu!

Alleluia, allelu!

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, at the words 'The word became flesh', an icon of Christ or the paschal candle (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, during the first reading, a picture or banner of a messenger coming across the mountains, like the one in TEV for Isaiah 52:7, could be displayed. During the reading of the gospel, a symbol of light, such as a candle or rays coming down from the sun, could 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 could be read by more than one person to make the dramatic meaning of the text clearer.

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.