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Christmas Season 2016 (Year A)

Notable Feast Days this Week:

December 26 - St. Stephen, The First Martyr (Western Calendars)
December 27 - St. John, Apostle/ Evangelist (Western Calendars)
December 27 - St. Stephen, Proto-Martyr (Eastern Calendars)
December 28 - Holy Innocents (Western Calendars)
December 29 - Holy Innocents (Eastern Calendars)
December 30 - The Holy Family (Roman Catholic Calendar)

Liturgical Color - White

Revised Common Lectionary

Isaiah 9:2-7; 52:7-10; 62:6-12
Psalms 96-98
Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7
Hebrews 1:1-12
Luke 2:1-20
John 1:1-14

Forward

For Unto Us a Child is Born...
"We who have walked in deep darkness have seen a great light! For unto us a child is born, one who will bring eternal peace (Isaiah 9:2-7). We celebrate Christ's birth (Luke 2:1-20) because he became what we are, giving his life freely that through his grace we might have the hope of salvation (Titus 2:11-14). Because of Jesus, we praise God and declare his glory (Psalm 96). "
- Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional

Christmas Poems

Noel by J. R. R. Tolkien
The Cultivation of Christmas Trees by T.S. Eliot
Christmastide Poems by Christina Rossetti
Christmas by George Herbert
Mary's Song (A Christmas Poem) by Luci Shaw

Lessons and Carols
Listen to a recording of the 2015 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge.

Christian Year Calendar (Year A):

Download a free single sheet liturgical calendar for 2016-2017. This resource was created by San Fransisco artist Barbara Lyon. Many thanks for her permission to use this wonderful resource.

Download with dates and descriptions
Download with dates

Psalm of the Week

Scripture Readings

Psalm 98

O sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things.
His right hand and his holy arm
    have gotten him victory.
The Lord has made known his victory;
    he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
    to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
    the victory of our God
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song...

Isaiah 52:7-10
Angels announce the arrival of Jesus
Hebrews 1:1-12
God has spoken by His Son
John 1:1-14
The Word became flesh

Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

The Entire Bible in One Year

Chronological

Readings for the Christmas Season

Note: The Liturgy Letter Newsletter will not be published for the Sunday of January 1, 2017. Instead, here are the Revised Common Lectionary readings for Christmas Eve, the First Sunday after Christmas, and New Year's Day. Publication of the weekly newsletter will resume for the first week of Epiphany.

Christmas Eve (Dec. 24)

Isaiah 9:2-7
A child is born for our salvation
Psalm 96
Let the earth be glad
Titus 2:11-14
The grace of God has appeared
Luke 2:1-20
God with us

Commentary on Luke 2:1-20

The First Sunday After Christmas

Isaiah 63:7-9
Israel is saved by God's own presence
Psalm 148
God's glory is over earth and heaven
Hebrews 2:10-18
Christ frees us
Matthew 2:13-23
The slaughter of innocent children

New Year's Day

Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
There is a time and season for everything
Psalm 8
God is beyond us, yet mindful of us
Revelation 1:1-6a
Jesus has set us free by his blood
John 1:1-18
Life for those who believe

Practicing Prayer

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. -from The Book of Common Prayer

Contemplative Prayer (View and Download)

Daily Prayer (View and Download)

Audio Prayer Meditation - Pray As You Go

Psalm 98 Spotify Playlist

More Spotify Playlists...

Christmas Quote

Let the just rejoice,
for their justifier is born.
Let the sick and infirm rejoice,
For their saviour is born.
Let the captives rejoice,
For their Redeemer is born.
Let slaves rejoice,
for their Master is born.
Let free men rejoice,
For their Liberator is born.
Let All Christians rejoice,
For Jesus Christ is born.

-St. Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-440)

Music for Listening (Christmas Day)

Thematic Art

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