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 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 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
*	for all who proclaim the word of God today and for those who hear it
*	for all the nations of the world, that they may see God's glory in Christ
*	for the homeless and the lonely, that God would dwell with them in Christ
*	for those who must work on this day or are separated from their families and friends

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
243	How beauteous are their feet* G5
487	Wake, awake for night is flying (v 2)* G6
TIS 
266	Wake, awake for night is flying (v 2)

Second reading: Hebrews 1:1-4(5-12)
LHS
20	O Jesus Christ, all praise to Thee* G4
21	Of the Father's love begotten G7
822	God has spoken by his prophets G6
AT
244	We have seen the Word of Life
TIS 
113	Now to the Lord a noble song
158	God has spoken by his prophets
290	Of the Father's love begotten
308	To us a child of noble birth

Gospel: John 1:1-14
LHS 
19	Come, Thou Saviour of our race * G4
20	O Jesus Christ, all praise to Thee * G4
21	Of the Father's love begotten G7
26	Praise God the Lord, ye sons of men * G4
31	Arise, my soul, sing joyfully * G7
33	Hark! the herald angels sing G4
34	O come, all ye faithful  G7
632	Once in royal David's city G7
633	O little town of Bethlehem G4
783	Christ is the world's light G6
822	God has spoken by his prophets G6
AT 
128	I am the Light of the world
132	Lift this Child to the sun
141	Born in the night
217	Shine, Jesus, shine
244	We have seen the Word of life
329	This kingdom
431	Goodness is stronger than evil
TIS 
158	God has spoken by his prophets
246	Christ is the world's light
255	O Laughing Light, O first-born of creation
258	Praise to you, O Christ our Saviour
290	Of the Father's love begotten
295	Saviour of the nations, come
298	Let all together praise our God
300	On Christmas night all Christians sing
303	Hark! the herald angels sing
304	O come, all ye faithful
305	Let earth and heaven combine
312	Once in royal David’s city
316	O little town of Bethlehem
323	Born in the night
497	Let all mortal flesh keep silence
675	Lord, the light of your love (Shine, Jesus, shine)

PSALM 98 
The following paraphrase of Psalm 98 by David Schütz may be sung to the tune Wir pflügen ('We plough the fields and scatter', LH 563, TIS 130). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Schütz' 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)
84	Angels we have heard on high
86	Come, dance and sing
91	Go, tell it on the mountain
93	In a little stable
94	Jesus, tiny Jesus
96	Little children, can you tell
101	Sleep, my Saviour, sleep
103	When Christmas morn is dawning

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 Schütz 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.