Please check out the Advent/Christmas Resources page and scroll down for the Lessons and Carols service, which was written for Christmas Eve and can be adapted for Christmas Day. I also suggest scrolling to the bottom for the “What Can I Give” dramatic dialogue resource as an option for Christmas Eve or for Christmas Day.
Christmas Eve and Day Lectionary Readings:
Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Luke 2:1-20; Titus 2:11-14
Isaiah gives a glimmer of hope to the people who have been in the darkness of exile, who have left everything they knew behind and witnessed the destruction of their city and their temple. Isaiah brings forth this prophecy that there will be one in the line of David, one who will rule like David, one who will rule with justice and authority from God. Isaiah was prophesying hope for his people in their time, but throughout the centuries this passage became an important message of hope to all peoples, and in the time of Jesus’ ministry and after his resurrection, the early followers of Jesus saw Jesus as the fulfillment of the Davidic kingdom, the promise of the reign from God. We read these words at Christmas to remember that Christ is truly our King, our Sovereign, our Savior.
Psalm 96 is a song of praise to God, who rules with justice and mercy, and all peoples shall come to praise God. It is appropriate to sing such praises as we celebrate the birth of the Christ-child.
Luke 2:1-20 is the familiar story of Christ’s birth, one we have come to know very well, although sometimes we forget that Matthew’s version (1:18-2:12) is very different. In Luke’s story, there are no wise men. There is no threat of danger from Herod. There is no star. But there is, however, the manger, the shepherds, the angel and the heavenly host. There is a beauty and wonder to the story. And the angel with the heavenly host (in other words, the army of God) proclaims “Glory to God in the Highest Heaven, and on earth peace, and good will to all people.” The army of God brings a message of peace. God, in all of God’s glory and power, comes not as a angelic warrior but as a little baby, born outside in the elements–dependent upon his earthly parents to care for him and protect him. And in Luke’s story, no great visitors from the East come to proclaim his birth, but lowly, smelly, poor shepherds come and witness to the world the birth of God’s Son.
Titus 2:11-14 is a reminder of what Christmas is about for Christians–celebrating that God has appeared in Christ Jesus, bringing salvation to the world. Worldly possessions should not possess us, for we are to give ourselves to Christ as Christ gave himself for us. Paul declares that we are redeemed and made pure by Christ to be “zealous for good deeds.” We know we are not saved by good deeds, but that we do good deeds in response to what Christ has done for us. As Christ gave up himself for us, so we give of our own lives, our very selves, to do the work that Christ has done in this world.
It is hard to preach on Christmas Day. Probably most of your regular attendees will be out of town or with family, but there may be a number of visitors. It can be especially difficult if you do not usually have a Christmas Day service and you are also preaching on Christmas Eve. Advent has been all about looking for signs and wonders, actively waiting to see Christ returning in our world and in our lives in a new way. Christmas is the fulfillment of that hope, yet we know we are still waiting. One idea may be to ask members of your congregation to share how God has done something new in their lives this Advent season, and how can we take what we have gained and learned and shared with us into the new year, as we continue to wait for Christ’s presence to be made known to the world.
Call to Worship:
Leader: Come, O Come, Emmanuel, Come and be with us again.
People: We celebrate the birth of the Christ-child, and await his coming again!
Leader: Come, O Come, into our lives in a new way.
People: We actively participate in our world to build Your reign on earth.
Leader: Come, O Come, Lord Jesus, Come.
People: Merry Christmas! Noel! Feliz Navidad! We celebrate with the world!
ALL: Christ is born today! Christ is born today!
Prayer:
Come, Thou-Long Expected Jesus, Born to set Thy People Free. We have sung through our Advent-waiting and have arrived at this special day of Christmas, when we remember Your birth, Your incarnation, the Word Becoming Flesh. Savior and Friend, remind us this day that You became one of us. You were born like us, You walked this earth like us, and You have risen from the dead as we will one day rise. Emmanuel, God With Us, remind us of Your presence throughout the year, as sometimes we lose sight, we forget, and we feel alone, lost and forsaken. Remind us of Your birth, Your life, Your death and Your resurrection, as we walk the journey of our own lives. Remind us that we do not walk this journey alone. In the name of Christ, the Light of the World, the Incarnate God, we pray. Amen.
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