December 24: The Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Eve

Three great vigils mark the festivals of the year: Easter, Pentecost and Christmas. At this vigil celebration, we join with Christians throughout the world to celebrate the great mystery of our faith: God speaks to us in our words so that we might know God’s mercy; God comes to us in human flesh - in Christ’s body and blood - so that we might share in God’s unfailing love. It is not a baby’s birth we celebrate, but the light of redemption. As Paul reminds us, the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all. Christ unites himself to our fragile, mortal lives so that we might know he is with us, always offering us life, health, and salvation. With the heavenly host we sing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven.”

December 25: The Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Day

Since the beginning of time, the coming of light has been a sign of life and hope. The sun and the stars transform the darkness into an inhabitable space. On the festival of the Lord’s nativity, the church gathers to celebrate the light of God’s grace present in Christ. In the holy bath of baptism, he enlightens and claims us as brothers and sisters. In the holy word of scripture, he speaks to us of God’s love for each human being. In the holy meal of the eucharist, he gives us the bread of eternal life. From this festival liturgy, we go forth to be light-bearers in the ordinary rhythms of daily life.

December 26: Stephen, Deacon and Martyr

Stephen was a deacon and the first martyr of the church. He was one of those seven upon whom the apostles laid hands after they had been chosen to serve widows and others in need. Later, Stephen’s preaching angered the temple authorities, and they ordered him to be put to death by stoning. The Christmas song “Good King Wenceslas” takes place on the fest of Stephen. The king sees a peasant gathering wood near the forest and sends his page to invite the peasant to a feast. The song, with its theme of charity to the poor, can be a way to remember Stephen, who cared for widows and those in need.

December 27: John, Apostle and Evangelist

John, the son of Zebedee, was a fisherman and one of the twelve. John, his brother James, and Peter were the three who witnessed the light of the Transfiguration. John and James once made known their desire to hold positions of power in the kingdom of God. Jesus’ response showed them that service to others was the sign of God’s reign in the world. Tradition has attributed authorship of the gospel and the three epistles bearing his name to the apostle John. John is a saint for Christmas through his proclamation that the Word became flesh and lived among us, that the light of God shines in the darkness, and that we are called to love one another as Christ has loved us..

December 28: The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

The infant martyrs commemorated on this day were the children of Bethlehem, two years old and younger, who were killed by Herod, who worried that his reign was threatened by the birth of a new king. Augustine called these innocents “buds, killed by the frost of persecution the moment they showed themselves.” Those linked to Jesus through their youth and innocence encounter the same hostility Jesus encounters later in his ministry.

January 1: The Name of Jesus

This festival marks the naming and circumcision of Jesus eight days after his birth. The observance of the Octave (eighth day) of Christmas goes back to the sixth century, and Lutheran calendars often called it “The Circumcision and the Name of Jesus” until the revision of the calendar in 1973. The festival falls during the twelve days of Christmas and invites continued celebration of Jesus’ birth.

January 6: Epiphany of Our Lord

On this day the church celebrates its catholic nature and mission. In worship we pray that the Holy Spirit would make our lives radiant with the brightness of Christ. From the Lord’s table the church goes forth into the world as a witness to Christ’s merciful presence. As the stars light up the darkness of night, so the baptized are called to be the light in the world.

  Lessons for December

Second Sunday of Advent December 4, 2012
Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
2 Peter 3:8-15a
Mark 1:1-8

Third Sunday of Advent December 11, 2012
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126 or Luke 1:46b-55
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2011
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Luke 1:46b-55
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38

Christmas Nativity of Our Lord – Christmas Eve December 24, 2011
Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]

Nativity of Our Lord – Christmas Day Christmas Day
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-4 [5-12]
John 1:1-14

First Sunday of Christmas January 1, 2012
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Psalm 148
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40

Epiphany of Our Lord January 6, 2012
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12

Time after Epiphany Baptism of Our Lord January 8, 2012
Genesis 1:1-5
Psalm 29
Acts 19:1-7
Mark 1:4-11