|
| |
Christmas Eve/Day
December 24/25
Click on Scripture Lessons below for
study links and resources for each individual pericope:
Isaiah
9:2-7 /
Isaiah
62:6-12 / Isaiah
52:7-10
Roman Catholic reading for Midnight Mass:
Isaiah
9:1-6 (see also study page for
Isaiah
9:1-4)
Roman Catholic reading for Mass at Dawn:
Isaiah
62: 11-12
Roman Catholic reading for Mass during the day:
Isaiah
52:7-10
United Methodist reading for Christmas Eve:
Isaiah
9:2-7
United Methodist reading for Christmas Day:
Isaiah
52:7-10
Psalm
96 /
Psalm
97 / Psalm 98
Roman Catholic reading for Midnight Mass:
Psalm
96:1-13
Roman Catholic reading for Mass at Dawn:
Psalm
97:1-12
Roman Catholic reading for Mass during the day:
Psalm
98:1-6
United Methodist reading for Christmas Eve:
Psalm
96
United Methodist reading for Christmas Day:
Psalm
98
Titus
2:11-14 /
Titus
3:4-7 / Hebrews
1:1-4, (5-12)
Roman Catholic reading for Midnight Mass:
Titus
2:11-14
Roman Catholic reading for Mass at Dawn:
Titus
3:4-7
Roman Catholic reading for Mass during the day:
Hebrews
1:1-6
United Methodist reading for Christmas Eve:
Titus
2:11-14
United Methodist reading for Christmas Day:
Hebrews
1:1-4, (5-12)
Luke
2:1-14, (15-20) /
Luke
2:(1-7), 8-20 / John
1:1-14
Roman Catholic reading for Midnight Mass:
Luke
2:1-14
Roman Catholic reading for Mass at Dawn:
Luke
2: 15-20
Roman Catholic reading for Mass during the day:
John
1:1-18 or John 1:1-5,
9-14
United Methodist reading for Christmas Eve:
Luke
2:1-14, (15-20)
United Methodist reading for Christmas Day:
John
1:1-14
 | Texts:
|
| Images and Movies:
 | Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art
Concordance, with the following themes:
|
| Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Movie
Concordance, with the following themes:
|
|
| Special Day Resources,
Christmas |
|
Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
|
Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal:
|
Comments
(commentary) and
Clippings
(technical notes for in-depth study), Christmas Set I |
|
Comments
(commentary) and
Clippings
(technical notes for in-depth study), Christmas Set II |
|
Comments
(commentary) and
Clippings
(technical notes for in-depth study), Christmas Set III |
|
|
Preaching This Week Commentaries on
Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day lectionary readings by Mark Throntveit, Michael Joseph
Brown, and David Tiede
at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary,
2008. |
|
Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives,
The Nativity of the Lord, 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings.
Center for Liturgy, St Louis University. |
|
Girardian
Reflections on the Lectionary, Christmas, by Paul Nuechterlein &
Friends. |
|
Preaching the Good News of Christmas,
by a collection of process pastors and theologians, Process and Faith
Lectionary Commentary,
"...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith." |
|
Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary,
Christmas Eve, 2008, Bruce G. Epperly,
"...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith." |
|
Preaching Helps:
Christmas Eve /
Christmas Day, 2008). United Methodist Church
General Board of Discipleship. |
|
Jesus Now,
Christmas Day,
lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures
Jesus Then & Now. |
|
Preaching Peace commentary,
Christmas Day, Jeff Krantz & Michael
Hardin: |
| The Nativity of Our Lord,
December 24, 2007,
December 25, 2007, Joy L. McDonald Coltvet, Currents in Theology and
Mission. |
|
"Justice for the Downtrodden," Resources for Prophetic
Worship, Speaking to North Carolina Justice Issues, North Carolina Council
of Churches, 2006. |
|
Liberal Lectionary Analysis,
Christmas B,
Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada. |
|
Lectionary Study,
December 24, 2008, Dr. Robert Linthicum, Partners in
Urban Transformation. |
|
Social Justice Lectionary,
Christmas Eve /
Christmas Day, list of links by Rev. Dr. Bruce
Sweet, United Church of Canada. |
|
Readings, Analysis of
Texts and Preaching Paths, Dennis Bratcher, Christian Resource Institute. (Church
of the Nazarene.) |
|
SAMUEL,
Christmas Eve, 2008, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary
and bulletin back page. |
|
| Lists of recommended
articles are available with
ATLAS subscription for these texts:
|
| Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
|
Sermon Brainwave.
Lectionary podcast featuring Profs. Karoline Lewis, David Lose and
Rolf Jacobson, discussing the week's passages in light of current
events. At Luther Seminary's WorkingPreacher.org. |
|
"Blogging toward...Christmas?" Blogging toward Sunday, Tom Steagald, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2008.
|
|
Tuesday Lectionary Leanings,
Christmas Eve Edition, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2008. |
|
"Where the Foreign Meets the
Familiar,"
"Door
24: The Secret Room," (Luke 2:1-20);
"Door 25: The Book of Beginnings," (John 1:1-14); Jan
Richardson, The Advent Door: Entering a Contemplative Christmas,
2008. |
|
Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Christmas Day A, B, C, 2008. Sarah Dylan
Breuer. |
|
"Bizarro-World," Dan Deffenbaugh, Seeds of Shalom, 2008. |
|
Christmas Eve / Christmas Day Year B, Lawrence Moore, disclosing new
worlds, 2008. |
|
"How
Silently, How Silently, The Wondrous Gift Is Given,"
The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with
Jesus Foundation, 2008. |
|
"Welcome to a Room-for-All Christmas," Donna M. Prince, Julia
Mayo-Quinlan, Judith Hoch Wray,
Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our
Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2008. (LGBT perspective) |
|
This Sunday's Readings,
Christmas Day, Martin Warner, Church Times, 2008. |
|
"The Christmas Mirror," Joshua Eli Plaut, Reform Judaism, 2004. |
|
"Living in the Shadow of the Manger," Margaret Eletta Guider, O.S.F.,
(other resources at)
"Children," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics
at Baylor University, 2003. |
|
"A
Christmas Story You've Never Heard: The Angels," Gordon Atkinson,
Real Live Preacher. Proclaiming Gospel Justice: Reflections on the
Scriptures and Progressive Spirituality, The Witness,
2005. |
|
The Christian Century archives:
|
|
Finding the Grace in Christmas, Louie Crew, Proclaiming Gospel
Justice, The Witness. |
|
"Home for Christmas," Pilgrim Preaching, Keeping company with biblical texts and the people
who hear and preach them, a weblog for preaching, by Mary Hinkle, Luther
Seminary. |
|
Desperate Preacher's Site: sermons, discussions, liturgical material and other
resources. |
|
| Sermons (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked
in listings at top of page)
|
Selected Sermon,
Christmas Day (RCL), Katerina K. Whitley, in Worship
that Works, ECUSA, 2008. |
|
Selected Sermon,
Christmas Day (RCL), by the Rev. J. Barrington Bates, in Worship
that Works, ECUSA, 2007. |
|
Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors. |
|
"Luminarias," the Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston, Day 1, 2006. |
|
"Sermon
for Christmas Day," Bishop Steven Charleston, Day 1, 2005. |
|
"Birth of the Light," Christmas Sermon by Nathan Mattox, 2005. |
|
Christmas
Sermons, Pastor Edward F. Marquart, Grace
Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. |
|
"A Feast Juxtaposed," Katherine E. Willis Pershey, any day a
beautiful change. |
|
"The Christmas
Message," Dr. Edwina Hunter, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday
Evening Club, 1997. |
|
"Fear Not,"
the Rev. Barbara Crafton, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening
Club. |
|
"Have
a Defiant Christmas," John Shea, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday
Evening Club, 2000. |
|
| Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
|
Lectionary Notes,
Christmas Eve
/ Christmas Day, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat
Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY. |
|
Banquet of the Word, Bible Study Based on the Sunday Readings, by Rev. Thomas Welbers. |
|
"Beyond Candy Cane Lane," study guide for
adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at)
"Consumerism," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian
Ethics at Baylor University, 2003. |
|
Proclaiming
Faith, Christmas, 2008 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings -
reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing. |
|
Bible Study -
Midnight, December
25, Dawn,
December 25,
During the Day, December 25 - verse by verse Roman Catholic lectionary
commentary at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Picayune, MS. |
|
| A list of links to on-line Bibles
and general Bible study resources. |
| A list of links to scholarly and preaching discussion
groups and their homepages. |
| A list of links to other
lectionary-based preaching and worship resources. |
| The Text This Week's Christmas Resources Page. |
| Richard and Charlene Fairchild's comprehensive
"A Holy
Christmas". |
| Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
|
Worship Planning Helps (Christmas
Eve /
Christmas Day, 2008): Worship & Preaching
Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist
Church General Board of Discipleship. |
|
"A Multicultural, Multigenerational Christmas Eve Service," UCC
Worship Ways, 2008. |
|
Gathering,
Christmas Eve/Day, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon
seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral
suggestions etc. |
|
Worship Resources,
Christmas Eve, 2008, Free Resources, Cokesbury
Worship Connection. |
|
LCA Worship Resources,
Christmas Proper I,
Christmas Proper II,
Christmas Proper III, includes liturgy, hymn
suggestions, notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with
Children," etc. Lutheran Church of Australia. |
|
Mustard Seeds,
Blue Christmas B,
Christmas Eve B,
Christmas Day B, 2008.
Blue Christmas A,
Christmas Eve A,
Christmas Day A, 2007. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of
contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia. |
|
Christmas Eve B,
Christmas Day B, Lectionary Liturgies,
Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.). |
|
"Today
Is The Day of Jesus' Birth," A Celebration of Music, Lights, and
Gifts for Christmas Day, Worship Ways, United Church of Christ, 2005. |
|
Alternative Lessons and Carols, Katherine Hawker, Outside the Box. |
|
Liturgies Online,
Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in
Australia. |
|
A Ceremony of Lessons and Carols, Process & Faith. |
|
Liturgy for the Celebration of Life,
Christmas Eve,
Christmas Day, 2008. Liturgies
from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, The
Uniting Church of St James Curtin, ACT. |
|
Worship Resources by Lisa Frenz, Mt. Carmel Lutheran
Church, Portland, OR. (Assorted services, including candlelight and choral
services.) |
|
Christmas
Liturgy, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
Adapting Christmas to the Southern Hemisphere. |
|
Worship
and Liturgy Resources, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia:
|
|
Liturgies for Christmas (Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve, The Christ
Mass on Christmas Eve, The Christ Mass on Christmas Day, ideas for Christmas
Liturgies), Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. |
|
| Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
| Laughing Bird
Liturgical Resources, Nativity, by Nathan Nettleton, South Yarra
Community Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia. Prayers, blessings,
Eucharistic prefaces and scripture paraphrases. |
| Resources:
Based on the Revised Common Lectionary:
Midnight
Eucharist,
Christmas Day, Prayers, Collects and Litanies
by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia. |
| Prayers of the People -
Christmas Day I,
Christmas Day II,
Christmas Day III. General intercessions for Sundays and
Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of
Louisiana. |
|
Introductions to lectionary readings for readers,
Christmas
Set I,
Christmas
Set II,
Christmas
Set III. Chris Haslam, Diocese of Montreal. |
| The
Billabong, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in
Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms. |
|
Lector's Notes:
Christmas Vigil,
Midnight Mass,
Mass at Dawn,
Mass During the Day, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish,
Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this
week's lectionary texts to the congregation. |
|
21st Century Africana
Liturgical Resources, Christmas Eve, 2007, the Rev. Joseph W.
Daniels, United
Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship. |
|
21st Century Africana
Liturgical Resources, Christmas Day, 2007, the Rev. Kwasi I. Kena, United
Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship. |
|
"A
Prayer or meditation for use on Christmas Eve,"
"A Prayer for Use
on Christmas Morning or the First Sunday after Christmas," Elli Elliott. |
|
Collect NZPB p. 555 and
Collect NZPB p. 556,
"Liturgy: Prayer Reflection," reflections on the collect at the Eucharist,
Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand. |
|
Christmas
Collects and Benediction, Worship Ways, United Church of Christ, 2006. |
|
Offertory Prayers for
December, 2008, David S. Bell, United Methodist Church GBOD. |
|
A Prayer for
Christmas Eve (Isaiah 9),
A Prayer for
Christmas Eve (Luke 2), Stephen Brown, A Place for
Prayer. |
|
Worship Resources, Christmas, John van de Laar,
Sacredise. |
|
Prayers and Musical Ideas,
Nativity of the Lord, 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings.
Center for Liturgy, St Louis University. |
|
Christmas
Prayers, Rev. Bosco Peters, New
Zealand. |
|
| Graphics and Bulletin Materials:
|
Clip Art, Christmas, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic
Educators. |
|
Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day at
Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration.
Follows Latin American Roman Catholic gospel reading, though most gospels
texts/themes are found in the index. Liberation emphasis. |
| Images for this week's readings,
Year B, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive. |
| Mustard Seeds,
Blue Christmas B,
Christmas Eve B,
Christmas Day B, 2008.
Blue Christmas A,
Christmas Eve A,
Christmas Day A, 2007. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of
contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia. |
| CHURCH PowerPoint,
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Rev. Dorothy Okray. Free PowerPoint
slides for Worship Services. |
|
"Two Nativity Scenes," Robert Hodgson,
eBulletins reflections, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center. |
|
Scripture
Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Christmas B,
Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada. |
|
Bulletin
Covers, www.scholia.net. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Emmett, Idaho.
Scroll down for Year A index. |
|
SAMUEL at
ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary
and bulletin back page. |
| "Where the Foreign Meets the
Familiar,"
"Door
24: The Secret Room," (Luke 2:1-20);
"Door 25: The Book of Beginnings," (John 1:1-14); Jan
Richardson, The Advent Door: Entering a Contemplative Christmas,
2008. |
|
Bulletin Cover Art for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Will Humes,
Word & Table. |
|
Great Expectations (Christmas Eve),
Tidings of Comfort And Joy (Christmas Day), reflection by Dorette
Saunders,
eBulletins reflections, prayer reminders, activity corner, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center,
2008. |
| Commercial Sites:
|
|
|
Hymns and Music:
| Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
 |
"Dear Was the Babe," Choral Anthem for Christmas, Sandy Rogers. United
Methodist Church GBOD. |
|
"Still, Still, Still," Austrian Christmas Carol, arr Dean Mc Intyre,
2008. United Methodist Church GBOD. |
|
"A Carol for Christmas," Andrew Pratt, 2007, Music: PASSION CHORALE.
United Methodist Church GBOD. |
|
"Hurry Little Children: A Spiritual Christmas Carol," SATB Choral
Anthem, Linda Dickson and George Mann, United Methodist Church GBOD. |
|
"The Carpenter's Carol," SATB Choral Anthem, Linda Dickson and George
Mann, United Methodist Church GBOD. |
|
"The Stardust Carol," SSAA (SSA) Choral Anthem, Linda Dickson and George
Mann, United Methodist Church GBOD. |
|
"O
Come, All Ye Faithful," handbell arrangement by Dean McIntyre, United
Methodist Church GBOD. |
|
"The First Noel," Christmas Choral Arrangement (choir, congregation,
optional child's solo), Sandy Rogers, United Methodist Church GBOD. |
| "Goat
Herds," "The Light,"
Brenton Prigge, NewHymn, weekly new, relevant hymn set to traditional tunes.
Specially written for use in the Southern Hemisphere. |
|
Hymns of
the Spirit Three, Christmas Eve/Day, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National
Memorial Church. |
|
| Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
| Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with
lyrics and sound files) from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for
the Sunday Lectionary.") |
|
Lectionary
Hymns,
Vigil of
Christmas,
Solemnity of Christmas, National Association of Pastoral Musicians. |
| Hymn selections (United Methodist)
and more from Hymnsite.com. |
|
Choral Anthem Project,
Vigil of the Nativity,
Midnight Mass,
Solemnity of the Nativity - Dawn,
Solemnity of the Nativity - Day, National Association of
Pastoral Musicians. |
| The
Billabong, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in
Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms. |
|
Traditional Hymns for Blended and Contemporary Worship Volume One:
Advent-Christmas-Epiphany, by Dean McIntyre, United Methodist Church General
Board of Discipleship. |
|
Liturgical
Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova
Publications. |
|
A Few Christmas Suggestions, 2008, annotated suggestions from Natalie
Sims,
Singing from the Lectionary. |
|
|
| Children's Bulletins (see also listings at individual
scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
|
Christmas Spiral Puzzle,
Christmas
Word Jumble, Charles
Kirkpatrick, sermons4kids.com. |
|
The Christmas Story Crossword Puzzle, downloadable and interactive
online, based on the NRSV Christmas stories from Matthew and Luke. Bruce
Gillette, Limestone Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, DE. |
|
Lectionary
Puzzles:
Christmas Proper I,
Christmas Proper II,
Christmas Proper III. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain
text, by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough,
Ontario. |
|
| For Children:
|
Gathering,
Christmas Eve/Day, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon
seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral
suggestions etc. |
|
Christmas Childrens Sermons, the Rev. Edward Markquart,
Sermons from Seattle. |
|
Ideas and
Talks for Christmas, Talks to Children, Rev. Donald
McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland. |
|
"Sweet
Christmas!"
Talks to Children, Rev. Donald McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish
Church, Fife, Scotland. |
|
"Reflecting the Light,"
and "Jesus and the Three
R's," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com. |
|
Proclaiming
Faith, Christmas, 2008 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings -
reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing. |
|
"Jesus Is the
Living Word of God," Sunday School Lessons:
Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc. |
|
"The Neglected Gift,"
Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com. |
|
"By His Own
Mighty Word He Holds the Universe Together,"
Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects,
music, stories, etc. |
|
| Drama:
|
The
Story of Christmas, Annal's Version. An Improvisational Pageant.
Christmas Shopping for the King, Children's Christmas Play. Lisa Frenz,
Mt Carmel Lutheran Church, Portland, Oregon. |
|
"A
Feast With The Shepherds," from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and
Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of
today's gospel. Claretian Publications. |
|
Dramatic Reading, John 1/Genesis 1, Theresa Coleman, reverend mommy's
randon thoughts. |
|
"The Innkeeper's Wife," Nina Wallestad, Dramatic License.
Conditions of
Use. |
|
"Lamb of God,"
Nina Wallestad, Dramatic License.
Conditions of
Use. |
| "Three
Men and a Baby," David S. Lampel, His Company. |
|
"The Writer," John
McNeil, dramatix. |
|
"Credo," John McNeil,
dramatix. |
|
"Signs and
Wonders," An Interactive Christmas Eve based on Luke 2:1-20, Jim
Hatherly. |
|
| A list of links to other
lectionary-based preaching and worship resources. |
|
