08. Year C - First Sunday after Christmas

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VERSION: 9 April 2002

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS, YEAR C

In 2003: 28 Dec

In 2006: 31 Dec

In 2009: 27 Dec

In 2012: 30 Dec

In 2015: 27 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.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,

since as members of one body you were called to peace.

(Col 3:15 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

1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 The boy Samuel in the service of the Lord

(If using TEV, begin: 'The boy Samuel . . . '; if using NIV, begin: 'Samuel was . . . ')

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

Colossians 3:12-17 Christian life in the world

ALLELUIA VERSE

Alleluia, alleluia. (Luke 2:40)

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom,

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

Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Luke 2:41-52 The boy Jesus in his Father's house

(If using NRSV or NIV, begin: 'Every year Jesus' parents went . . . ')

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 growing up

obedient to your earthly parents and to your heavenly Father.

Help us to enjoy being in the Father's house.

Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER

Thank you, loving heavenly Father,

for sending your Son to live among us.

Teach us to trust in him,

to forget about ourselves,

and to follow his example of humility and service,

doing everything in his name.

Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Call to prayer

The word of the prophets has been fulfilled: the Lord has come to his temple. Let us pray to God who is  here with us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

The regular response, OR:

Lord, you have given us your salvation:

Hear the prayer of your servants.

Suggested intercessions

Concluding prayer

God our Father, we give you thanks for all you have done for us. Hear our prayers, in the name of 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.

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. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.

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: 1 Samuel 2:18-20,26

LHS

AT

-

TIS

Second reading: Colossians 3:12-17

LHS

AT

TIS

Gospel: Luke 2:41-52

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.

Chorus:        Lullay, thou little tiny child,

      by by, lully, lullay.

      Lullay, thou little tiny child,

      by by, lully, lullay.

Women:        O sisters, too, how may we do,

      for to preserve this day -

      this poor youngling, for whom we sing,

      by by, lully, lullay.

Men:        Herod the king, in his raging,

      charged he hath this day

      his men of might, in his own sight,

      all children young to slay.

All:        Then woe is me, poor child, for thee!

      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.

1 SAMUEL 2:18-20,26: The Lord had given Samuel to his mother in answer to her earnest prayers. Even though she had given him back to the Lord to serve at the tabernacle, Hannah continued to provide a loving  familial connection. She made his day-to-day garment each year. His service to God was marked by a priestly garment (ephod), even though he was serving more as a Levite, an assistant. His future life, which in a special measure secured continuity of God's rule in Israel, is thus indicated. His faithful and devoted service won favour with God and in the eyes of people generally.

COLOSSIANS 3:12-17: What a wonderful formula for peace in a Christian church! Because Christians are clothed with the righteousness and peace of Christ throughout their redemption, the clothing of peace-making and peace-giving qualities is both possible and necessary. Forgiveness as given freely by God is equally freely passed on. Love permeates and energises all of these characteristics. The word of Christ shared lovingly points the way and strengthens the ties one to another. The hymns of worship are also seen this way. What wonderful thanks is offered through our Lord Jesus Christ for this way of life.

LUKE 2:41-52: Three days among the most scripturally learned of Jerusalem, sustaining their amazement, indicates the authenticity of Jesus' answer to his parents when they found him. His reference to 'my' rather than 'our' Father's house demonstrates the fact of his special Sonship and his conscious awareness of it. It was natural that his parents did not understand Jesus' answer to their anxiety. Despite the angel's information before his birth and the consequential happenings at Bethlehem, they would have been accustomed rather to his natural human childhood, development and obedience. St Luke reports his continued humble submission to them after the event. Everything in his behaviour earned favour with God and other people.

VISUAL

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 may be accompanied by an illustration like that in the TEV Bible for 1 Samuel 2:19. The gospel may be accompanied by an illustration like that in the TEV Bible for Luke 2:46.

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 first reading may be read by two readers: narrator and Eli. It could be mimed as it is read, using a boy to play the part of Samuel being given the robe. The gospel could be read by three readers: narrator (pastor), Jesus' mother, Jesus.

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.'

CHILDREN

CHILDREN AND THE READINGS

Involve a boy in the dramatisation of the first reading and/or 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: 'The boy Jesus at the temple'. Material for this story may be found in

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

OR

Revised RCL Edition, same