CHRISTMAS PROPER II, years A, b, c
(24/25 December)

Proper II is most suitable for early Christmas morning, or, if Proper I was used at an earlier service on Christmas Eve, Proper II may be used for a midnight service.

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.

See, your Saviour comes! 
His reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.  (Isa 62:11b NIV)

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
Almighty God, 
grant that we who are enlightened 
by the new light of your incarnate Word 
may show in our deeds 
the light that by faith shines in our hearts; 
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 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.

OR, new, for use at night (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 62:6-12 Your Saviour comes

PSALM
Psalm 97
Antiphon:
A child has been born for us, a son given to us. (based on Isa 9:6)
OR
A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.

SECOND READING
Titus 3:4-7 Saved by God's love

SEQUENCE
This translation, by David Schütz, 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 foretold 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
Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to God in the highest, 
and peace to God's people on earth. Alleluia.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20 The shepherds hear the good news of the birth of Christ

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.

OR, use the following.

Call to prayer
On this day of our Saviour's birth, we praise God and offer him thanks, and we pray for the world into which his Son was born.

The regular response, OR:
We pray to the Lord:
Glory to God in the highest.

Suggested petitions
The following from 'A festival of Christmas readings and carols' could be used as a basis for petitions:

Look in mercy 
*	on the poor and helpless 
*	the homeless, the hungry, and the oppressed 
*	the sick and those who mourn 
*	the lonely and the unloved 
*	the aged and the little children 
*	and all those who do not know the Lord Jesus, or who do not love him, or who by sin have grieved his heart.

Concluding prayer
Father, by the birth of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, you have opened the way to new birth for all the world. Hear our prayers on behalf of the world, and grant us new and everlasting life 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 third 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, 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 62:6-12
LHS 
733	Daughter of Zion G6
737	Prepare the royal highway G4
AT
221	They were waiting
434	Sing out with joy
TIS 
279	The king of glory comes (v 1)
346	Prepare the royal highway

Second reading: Titus 3:4-7 
LHS 
20	O Jesus Christ, all praise to Thee* G4
21	Of the father's love begotten G7
29	Come, your hearts and voices raising* G4
154	Amazing love that rent the heavens asunder* G4
510	May the grace of Christ our Saviour G7
828	I am baptised - O blessed day GS
831	O baptised people, one and all G3
AT 
316	From the air and from the light
TIS
290	Of the Father's love begotten
297	Come, your hearts and voices raising
777	May the grace of Christ our Saviour

Gospel: Luke 2:(1-7)8-20 
See suggestions for Proper I 

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. 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, the first reading could be accompanied by a picture of the building of a road, like the one in TEV for Isaiah 62:10, and the gospel could be accompanied by a picture of Mary with the baby Jesus or a drawing/symbol of the crib. Or a symbol of a manger (with crown) or a candle or heraldic angel may 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 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.