From hymnsite.org and biblegateway.com:
Weekly Readings:
First Sunday after Christmas
(Year A)
Unifying Theme:
Christ is indeed among us.
Scriptural Reading, No. 1
Theme: God's people are saved by the angel of His presence
Isaiah 63:7-9 (New International Version, ©2010)
Praise and Prayer
7 I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD,
the deeds for which he is to be praised,
according to all the LORD has done for us—
yes, the many good things
he has done for Israel,
according to his compassion and many kindnesses.
8 He said, “Surely they are my people,
children who will be true to me”;
and so he became their Savior.
9 In all their distress he too was distressed,
and the angel of his presence saved them.[a]
In his love and mercy he redeemed them;
he lifted them up and carried them
all the days of old.
Footnotes:
a.Isaiah 63:9 Or Savior in their distress. / It was no envoy or angel / but his own presence that saved them
Suggested Hymns:
181: Ye Servants of God
280: All Glory, Laud, and Honor
Scriptural Reading, No. 2
Theme: In the heavens and in the earth, praise the Lord
Psalm 148 (New King James Version)
Psalm 148
Praise to the LORD from Creation
1 Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!
2 Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!
3 Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all you stars of light!
4 Praise Him, you heavens of heavens,
And you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
For He commanded and they were created.
6 He also established them forever and ever;
He made a decree which shall not pass away.
7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
You great sea creatures and all the depths;
8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9 Mountains and all hills;
Fruitful trees and all cedars;
10 Beasts and all cattle;
Creeping things and flying fowl;
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;
12 Both young men and maidens;
Old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
For His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above the earth and heaven.
14 And He has exalted the horn of His people,
The praise of all His saints—
Of the children of Israel,
A people near to Him.
Praise the LORD!
Suggested Hymns:
95: Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
96: Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above
Scriptural Reading, No. 3
Theme: Christ taken to Egypt; return to Nazareth
Matthew 2:13-23 (New King James Version)
The Flight into Egypt
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”
14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”[a]
Massacre of the Innocents
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
18 “ A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
Refusing to be comforted,
Because they are no more.”[b]
The Home in Nazareth
19 Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
Footnotes:
a.Matthew 2:15 Hosea 11:1
b.Matthew 2:18 Jeremiah 31:15
Suggested Hymns:
179: O Sing a Song of Bethlehem
371: I Stand Amazed in the Presence
Scriptural Reading, No. 4
Theme: Christ, our brother and high priest
Hebrews 2:10-18 (New King James Version)
Bringing Many Sons to Glory
10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying:
“ I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”[a]
13 And again:
“ I will put My trust in Him.”[b]
And again:
“ Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”[c]
14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
Footnotes:
a.Hebrews 2:12 Psalm 22:22
b.Hebrews 2:13 2 Samuel 22:3; Isaiah 8:17
c.Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:18
Suggested Hymns:
89: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
379: Blow Ye the Trumpet, Blow
Featured Hymn
Blow Ye the Trumpet, Blow
Hymn #379
Words by Charles Wesley
Music by Lewis Edson
Tune Name: LENOX
It is the third day of Christmas. We have celebrated the arrival of the Christ Child; we await the visit of the Magi. What a wondrous time of year this is! In the United States and many other places, gifts were exchanged on Friday morning. In Latin America and other lands, gifts will arrive with the Epiphany of the Lord on January 6, and children remain in the heightened expectation of that day.
The world in Christ is full of joy right now. It is a resounding joy--one that overwhelms; one that fills us so completely that we can't hold it in; one that is seen and heard all around the world.
Although it is not traditionally recognized as a carol of Advent, Christmastide, or the Epiphany, this week's featured hymn captures an important message of this season. The year of Jubilee was a year of freedom, a year of forgiveness, a year of great joy. That year has come to us, as it has come to us before and will come to us again and again.
Charles Wesley penned the words of this hymn to emphasize the theme of justifying grace. Christ, whose birth we celebrate during this blessed season, is the all atoning Lamb. Slaves to sin and death are set free. Heritage in heaven has been restored through the gift of Jesus' blood. What exciting themes! Read the words yourself:
1. Blow ye the trumpet, blow!
The gladly solemn sound
let all the nations know,
to earth's remotest bound:
(Refrain) 2. Jesus, our great high priest,
hath full atonement made;
ye weary spirits, rest;
ye mournful souls, be glad:
(Refrain)
3. Extol the Lamb of God,
the all atoning Lamb;
redemption in his blood
througout the world proclaim.
(Refrain) 4. Ye slaves of sin and hell,
your liberty receive,
and safe in Jesus dwell,
and blest in Jesus live:
(Refrain)
5. Ye who have sold for nought
your heritage above
shall have it back unbought,
the gift of Jesus' love:
(Refrain) 6. The gospel trumpet hear,
the news of heavenly grace;
and saved from earth, appear
before your Savior's face:
The year of jubilee is come!
The year of jubilee is come!
Return to your eternal home.
Refrain: (vs 1-5)
The year of jubilee is come!
The year of jubilee is come!
Return, ye ransomed sinners, home.
Speaking as a trumpeter myself, the tune LENOX does not carry as much excitement in the melody as the words inspire, but bold fanfares can answer the melodic phrases magnificently. Whether you sing the words or play the tune on an instrument, take a deep breath and proclaim its message loudly.
God bless you--
Lection@HymnSite.com
Passages suggested are from The Revised Common Lectionary: Consultation on Common Texts (Abingdon Press, 1992) copyright © by the Consultation on Common Texts (CCT), P.O. Box 340003, Room 381, Nashville TN 37203-0003. Reprinted with permission of CCT.
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