Christmas is a 12-day season that begins on December 25. For resources to use in the weeks leading up to Christmas, see “Collects and Readings for Advent.” A collect (pronounced “cah· lect”) is a short prayer to unite the thoughts and intentions of God’s gathered people. The Collects below are adapted from the Book of Common Prayer. Each Sunday includes an Old Testament reading, Psalm, Epistle, and Gospel reading. Readings on a three-year cycle are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). Readings from the more traditional, one-year lectionary are taken from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer (BCP 1662) with Psalms and an OT readings supplied by the Prayer Book Society of Canada. The first Psalm is the Introit (read/sung as the ministers enter); the second Psalm is the Gradual (read/sung between the Epistle and Gospel).
The Nativity of Our Lord
O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
Lectionary readings:
- RCL Proper I: Isaiah 9:2–7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11–14; Luke 2:1–14, (15–20)
- RCL Proper II: Isaiah 62:6–12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4–7; Luke 2:(1–7), 8–20
- RCL Proper III: Isaiah 52:7–10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1–4, (5–12); John 1:1–14
- BCP 1662 I: Proverbs 8:22–31; Psalm 2:7–8; 110:1–4; Hebrews 1:1–12; John 1:1–14
- BCP 1662 II: Micah 5:2–5; Psalm 96:1–4; 98:5–7; Titus 2:11–15; Luke 2:1–14
Visual aids:
- Collect 1 for the Nativity of the Lord
- Collect 2 for the Nativity of the Lord
- Collect 3 for the Nativity of the Lord
First Sunday after Christmas Day
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.
Lectionary readings:
- RCL Year A: Isaiah 63:7–9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10–18; Matthew 2:13–23
- RCL Year B: Isaiah 61:10–62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4–7; Luke 2:22–40
- RCL Year C: 1 Samuel 2:18–20, 26; Psalm 148; Colossians 3:12–17; Luke 2:41–52
- BCP 1662: Ruth 4:13–17; Psalm 93; 110:1–4; Galatians 4:1–7; Matthew 1:18–25
Second Sunday after Christmas Day
O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Lectionary readings
- RCL: Jeremiah 31:7–14; Psalm 147:12–20; Ephesians 1:3–14; John 1:(1–9), 10–18
- BCP 1662: Isaiah 9:2–7; Psalm 8; 145:18–22; Ephesians 2:11–18; Luke 2:15–21