January 1, 2023
FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS

INTRODUCTION
As we celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas, our gospel today confronts us with the death of innocent children at the hands of Herod. The birth of Christ does not remove the power of evil from our world, but its light gives us hope as we walk with all the "holy innocents" of past generations and today who have suffered unjustly. In our gathering around word and meal, God continues to redeem us, lift us up, and carry us as in days of old.

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
O Lord God, you know that we cannot place our trust in our own powers. As you protected the infant Jesus, so defend us and all the needy from harm and adversity, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. Let the peace of Christ rule | in your hearts, and let the word of Christ dwell | in you richly. Alleluia. (Col. 3:15, 16)

READINGS AND PSALM
Isaiah 63:7-9
Psalm 148
The splendor of the LORD is over earth and heaven. (Ps. 148:13)
Hebrews 2:10-18
Matthew 2:13-23

FIRST READING: Isaiah 63:7-9
God does not delegate divine intervention to a messenger or an angel. God's own presence brings salvation. The prophet and all who read these words join in celebrating God's gracious deeds. God trusts that God's people will not act falsely.

7I will recount the gracious deeds of the LORD, the praiseworthy acts of the LORD, because of all that the LORD has done for us, and the great favor to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. 8For he said, "Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely"; and he became their savior 9in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

PSALM: Psalm 148
The splendor of the LORD is over earth and heaven. (Ps. 148:13)

1Hallelujah! Praise the LORD | from the heavens;
	praise God | in the heights.
2Praise the LORD, | all you angels;
	sing praise, all you | hosts of heaven.
3Praise the LORD, | sun and moon;
	sing praise, all you | shining stars.
4Praise the LORD, heav- | en of heavens,
	and you waters a- | bove the heavens.
5Let them praise the name | of the LORD,
	who commanded, and they | were created,
6who made them stand fast forev- | er and ever,
	giving them a law that shall not | pass away.   R
7Praise the LORD | from the earth,
	you sea monsters | and all deeps;
8fire and hail, | snow and fog,
	tempestuous wind, do- | ing God's will;
9mountains | and all hills,
	fruit trees | and all cedars;
10wild beasts | and all cattle,
	creeping things and | flying birds;
11sovereigns of the earth | and all peoples,
	princes and all rulers | of the world;
12young | men and maidens,
	old and | young together.   R
13Let them praise the name | of the LORD,
	whose name only is exalted,
	whose splendor is over | earth and heaven.
14The LORD has raised up strength for the people
and praise for all | faithful servants,
	the children of Israel, a people who are near the LORD.
	| Hallelujah!   R

SECOND READING: Hebrews 2:10-18
Through Jesus' suffering and death, the trail to eternal salvation has been blazed for us. We do not fear death, because he has conquered the power of death. Thus Christ, our merciful and faithful high priest, has the final say over the destiny of our lives.

10It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you." 13And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Here am I and the children whom God has given me." 14Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

GOSPEL: Matthew 2:13-23
In a dream, Joseph is warned to flee to Egypt to protect the infant Jesus from the jealousy of Herod.

13Now after [the wise men] had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." 14Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son." 16When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. 17Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 18"A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more." 19When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 20Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead. 21Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. 23There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He will be called a Nazorean."

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.
Merciful God, broaden the church's hospitality and welcome. Open our hearts to any in need of refuge and help, especially those who are persecuted. Prosper the work of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Life-giving God, restore the health of the soil, the seas, and the air. Increase the joy and praise of all living things. In the coming year strengthen local, national, and international efforts to prevent further harm to the environment. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Liberating God, deliver your people from cruel oppression. Increase justice in every nation and keep the dream of freedom alive. In this new year bring the blessing of peace and put an end to violent conflict throughout the world (regions in turmoil and conflict may be named). God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Uplifting God, raise all who are bowed down by trouble and need, especially individuals and families living in poverty (and those we name now). Protect and nurture all children. Sustain those who parent, teach, and care for the young. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Abiding God, accompany this community in the coming year. Increase our love for one another and the neighbors we serve. Enrich our worship and deepen our faith. Sustain our pastor/s (name/s) and all who minister in your name. (Specific ministries or individuals may be named.) God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
Loving God, the holy innocents who perish in every generation are safe in your keeping. We give you thanks and praise for the all the faithful who have gone before us into everlasting life with you. 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 Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved. Used by permission.