Notable Feast Days this Week:

December 23 - The First Day of Hannukah
December 23 - Ten Martyrs of Crete, 250

December 24 - Vigil of Christmas (Christmas Eve)
December 25 - Christmas Day
December 26 - St. Stephen, The First Martyr (Western)
December 27 - St. John, Apostle/ Evangelist (Western)
December 27 - St. Stephen, Proto-Martyr (Eastern) 
December 28 - Holy Innocents (Western)
December 29 - Holy Innocents (Eastern)
December 29 - The Holy Family (Roman)

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


Daily Readings (RCL)
Liturgical Color - White/Gold

The Nativity of Our Lord (Christmas) The First Sunday after Christmas Day December 25 and December 29
The Word was Made Flesh and Dwelt Among Us...
"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
Readings for Christmas Day
 
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

Psalm 98
The victory of our God
Christmas Quote
 
"What shall I say! And how shall I describe this Birth to you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment. The Ancient of Days has become an infant. He Who sits upon the sublime and heavenly Throne, now lies in a manger. And He Who cannot be touched, Who is simple, without complexity, and incorporeal, now lies subject to the hands of men. He Who has broken the bonds of sinners, is now bound by an infant's bands. But He has decreed that ignominy shall become honor, infamy be clothed with glory, and total humiliation the measure of His Goodness." —John Chrysostom

"The dogma of the Incarnation is the most dramatic thing about Christianity, and indeed, the most dramatic thing that ever entered the mind of man; but if you tell people so, they stare at you in bewilderment." —Dorothy Sayers
 
Christmas Resources
"Adeste Fideles" at Notre Dame Cathedral (Paris) 2016
Psalm
Scripture Readings
Psalm 148

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts ...



Commentary on Psalm 148
AugustineCalvinSpurgeon,
John Paul II


Audio
Psalm 148Isaiah 63,
Hebrews 2Matthew 2

Spotify Playlist
Psalm 98 and Psalm 148

Isaiah 63:7-9
Israel is saved by God's own presence

Hebrews 2:10-18
Christ frees us

Matthew 2:13-23
The slaughter of innocent children
 
Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

Bible in a Year
Chronological
Lectionary Resources  
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.

-Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-440)
 
Collect for Christmas
 
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 forever. Amen. -from The Book of Common Prayer
Singing Psalms and Hymns
Hymn Suggestions for the First Sunday of Christmas from Hymnary.org 

Hymns related to Psalm 148 from Hymnary.com

CCLI Contemporary Liturgy Song Select (Christmas 1)

Free Christmas Chord Charts from Re-Awaken Hymns

Simple Carols Chord Charts from Dan Wilt 

Sun, Moon, and Stars (Psalm 148) | by Sons of Korah | Chords

O Praise Him (All This for a King) | by David Crowder | Chords

Hallelujah! Praise Jehovah | Leadsheet

Alleluia! Alleluia! | Tune: Ode to Joy | Leadsheet

Psalm 148 | by Graham Kendrick | Leadsheet

All Praise to Thee | Words: Martin Luther / Music: Greg Gilbertson | Leadsheet


Psalm 148 Refrain | from The Emergent Psalter Leadsheet

Psalm 148 | Metrical Options
Music for Listening
Thematic Art 
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