December 25, 2022
NATIVITY OF OUR LORD, CHRISTMAS DAY (II AND III)

INTRODUCTION
As on the first day of creation, on this Christmas Day the Word illumines the world, shining forth to bring all things into being. Today we celebrate the incarnate Word, God becoming flesh to live among us in the person of Jesus Christ then and now. Emboldened by the good news of Christ's birth, along with the shepherds, Mary and Joseph, and all witnesses to the light of Christ, we declare to the world that we have indeed seen and been transformed by the arrival of "the salvation of our God." O come, let us adore!

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God,
the Word made flesh,
our life and our salvation.
Amen.

Trusting the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Savior,
let us confess our sin.

Silence is kept for reflection.

God of life,
you promise good news of great joy for all people,
and call us to be messengers of your peace.
We confess that too often we hoard our joy,
our resources, and our security.
We nurture conflict and build barriers.
We neglect the needs of our neighbors
and ignore the groaning of creation.
Have mercy on us.
Where we are self-centered, open our hearts.
Where we are reluctant, give us courage.
Where we are cynical, restore our trust.
Renew us with your grace
and give us again the hope of eternal life in you.
Amen.

Hear the good news:
We are children of God and heirs of God's promises
through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
In + Jesus we are forgiven and redeemed.
Sing with joy, for all the ends of the earth
shall know the salvation of God.
Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY
II — All-powerful and unseen God, the coming of your light into our world has brightened weary hearts with peace. Call us out of darkness, and empower us to proclaim the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

OR
III — Almighty God, you gave us your only Son to take on our human nature and to illumine the world with your light. By your grace adopt us as your children and enlighten us with your Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
II — Alleluia. A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and a- | dore the Lord.* For today a great light has come up- | on the earth. Alleluia.

OR
III — Alleluia. 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 Savior, who is the Messi- | ah, the Lord. Alleluia. (Luke 2:10-11)

II — READINGS AND PSALM
Isaiah 62:6-12
Psalm 97
Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the honest of heart. (Ps. 97:11)
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:[1-7] 8-20

FIRST READING: Isaiah 62:6-12
The prophet invites the people to give God no rest until God reestablishes Jerusalem. In turn, they will receive names full of promise: The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord, A City Not Forsaken.

6Upon your walls, O Jerusalem,
	I have posted sentinels;
all day and all night
	they shall never be silent.
You who remind the LORD,
	take no rest
7and give him no rest
	until he establishes Jerusalem
	and makes it renowned throughout the earth.
8The LORD has sworn by his right hand
	and by his mighty arm:
I will not again give your grain
	to be food for your enemies,
and foreigners shall not drink the wine
	for which you have labored;
9but those who garner it shall eat it
	and praise the LORD,
and those who garner it shall drink it
	in my holy courts.
10Go through, go through the gates,
	prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway,
	clear it of stones,
	lift up an ensign over the peoples.
11The LORD has proclaimed
	to the end of the earth:
Say to daughter Zion,
	"See, your salvation comes;
his reward is with him,
	and his recompense before him."
12They shall be called, "The Holy People,
	The Redeemed of the LORD";
and you shall be called, "Sought Out,
	A City Not Forsaken."

PSALM: Psalm 97
Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the honest of heart. (Ps. 97:11)

1The LORD reigns; let the | earth rejoice;
	let the multitude of the | isles be glad
2Clouds and darkness sur- | round the LORD,
	righteousness and justice are the foundations | of God's throne.
3Fire goes be- | fore the LORD,
	burning up enemies on | every side.
4Lightnings light | up the world;
	the earth | sees and trembles.
5The mountains | melt like wax
	before the Lord of | all the earth.
6The heavens declare your righteous- | ness, O LORD,
	and all the peoples | see your glory.  R
7Confounded be all who worship carved images and delight | in false gods!
	Bow down before the LORD, | all you Gods.
8Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Ju- | dah rejoice,
	because of your judg- | ments, O LORD.
9For you are the LORD, most high over | all the earth;
	you are exalted far a- | bove all gods.
10You who love the | LORD, hate evil!
	God guards the lives of the saints and rescues them
	from the hand | of the wicked.  R
11Light dawns | for the righteous,
	and joy for the hon- | est of heart.
12Rejoice in the | LORD, you righteous,
	and give thanks to God's | holy name.  R

SECOND READING: Titus 3:4-7
God saves us not because of what we do. Rather, God is a God of mercy and salvation who graciously cleanses us in baptism and renews our lives through the Holy Spirit.

4When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

GOSPEL: Luke 2:[1-7] 8-20
The world's deep night is shattered by the light of God's new day. The glory of God is revealed to poor shepherds, who share the good news with others.

1[In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.]
	8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This was be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
	15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethleham and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.
	20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

iii — READINGS AND PSALM
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98
All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. (Ps. 98:3)
Hebrews 1:1-4 [5-12]
John 1:1-14

FIRST READING: Isaiah 52:7-10
Isaiah proclaims news of great joy: "Your God reigns!" Just as God saved the people from oppression in Egypt, God delivers Israel from exile. All the earth will witness the saving acts of God.

7How 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."
8Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,
	together they sing for joy;
for in plain sight they see
	the return of the LORD to Zion.
9Break forth together into singing,
	you ruins of Jerusalem;
for the LORD has comforted his people,
	he has redeemed Jerusalem.
10The LORD has bared his holy arm
	before the eyes of all the nations;
and all the ends of the earth shall see
	the salvation of our God.

PSALM: Psalm 98
All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. (Ps. 98:3)

1Sing a new song to the LORD, who has done | marvelous things,
	whose right hand and holy arm have | won the victory.
2O LORD, you have made | known your victory,
	you have revealed your righteousness
in the sight | of the nations.
3You remember your steadfast love and faithfulness to the | house of Israel;
	all the ends of the earth have seen the victory | of our God.
4Shout with joy to the LORD, | all you lands;
	lift up your voice, re- | joice, and sing.   R
5Sing to the LORD | with the harp,
	with the harp and the | voice of song.
6With trumpets and the sound | of the horn
	shout with joy before the | king, the LORD.   R
7Let the sea roar, and | all that fills it,
	the world and those who | dwell therein.
8Let the rivers | clap their hands,
	and let the hills ring out with joy before the LORD,
	who comes to | judge the earth.
9The LORD will judge the | world with righteousness
	and the peo- | ples with equity.   R

SECOND READING: Hebrews 1:1-4 [5-12]
This letter opens with a lofty declaration of Jesus' preeminent status as the Son through whom God created the world and through whom our sins are cleansed. God speaks to us now through the Son, who is exalted even above the angels.

1Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
[5For to which of the angels did God ever say,
	"You are my Son;
		today I have begotten you"?
Or again,
	"I will be his Father,
		and he will be my Son"?
6And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
	"Let all God's angels worship him."
7Of the angels he says,
	"He makes his angels winds,
		and his servants flames of fire."
8But of the Son he says,
	"Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
		and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom.
	9You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
	therefore God, your God, has anointed you
		with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."
10And,
	"In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth,
		and the heavens are the work of your hands;
	11they will perish, but you remain;
		they will all wear out like clothing;
	12like a cloak you will roll them up,
		and like clothing they will be changed.
	But you are the same,
		and your years will never end."]

GOSPEL: John 1:1-14
The prologue to the Gospel of John describes Jesus as the Word of God made flesh, the one who reveals God to be "full of grace and truth."

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
	6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
	10He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
	14And 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.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
The prayers are prepared locally for each occasion. The following examples may be adapted or used as appropriate.
With wonder and thanksgiving for Christ's coming into the world, we pray for the church, the life of the earth, and the whole human family.
A brief silence.
The church in every land makes a joyful noise to herald your coming, O God. We give thanks for poets, musicians, and hymn writers who give voice to our praise, and for all who lead the church's worship. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
This day dawns with new hope for all living things, and from ocean depths to mountain peaks the earth rejoices. Inspire in us an urgent zeal to protect the planet and renew its resources (local environmental concerns may be named). God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Bring heavenly peace to this world and an end to armed conflict. Raise up leaders in every nation who will honor human rights and establish equal justice for all people. Give courage to all who speak out against oppression and advocate for the powerless. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Guard the lives of any in danger, especially those who work to protect others. Lead any who are in desperate circumstances to sanctuary, help, and safety. Grant rest to the weary and soothe those who are troubled (especially). God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Bless all who gather to worship on this holy day. Be present at our tables and celebrations, and watch over those who travel. Sustain charities, outreach ministries, and food pantries that give generously to people in need (local organizations may be named). God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
In Christ we have beheld your glory, full of grace and truth. We give thanks for those in every generation who reflect the light of Christ. May their witness shine forth in our time. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Pondering the mystery of eternal love made flesh in Christ Jesus, we commend all for whom we pray to the mercy of God.
Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER
God of abundance,
receive and bless these gifts we have offered.
Join our hearts with the song of the angels,
and gather us at your table of celebration.
Strengthen us to share with all the world
the abundance of your grace upon grace,
poured out in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.
Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Glory to God in the highest!
Come to the table of peace.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
God our redeemer,
you have fed us at this table
with gifts of grace, truth, and life.
As you have gathered us in joy,
send us forth as messengers of your peace.
Make us shine with the good news of your glory,
born to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

BLESSING
God bless you and keep you,
+ Jesus grant you grace and truth,
and the Spirit send peace upon your hearts,
now and forever.
Amen.

DISMISSAL
Christ the Savior is born!
Go in peace. Proclaim this good news.
Thanks be to God.

Reprinted from Words for Worship, copyright 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Scripture quotations (except psalms) from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved. Used by permission.