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December 24, 2025
See TodayChristmas Eve
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Isaiah 7:10–14 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Psalm
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Psalm 110:1–4 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Epistle
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1 John 4:7–16 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Gospel
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Matt. 1:18–25 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Christmas Eve
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
The Word of the Lord Is Fulfilled in the Flesh of Jesus
Though Ahaz would not ask, the Lord gives a sign to the house of David, that “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Is. 7:14). With this promise, He signifies that salvation is by His grace alone; it is no work or achievement of man, but the Lord’s own work and His free gift. The promise is fulfilled as the Son of God is conceived and born of the blessed Virgin Mary, and the sign is received in faith by the house of David in the person of Joseph (Matt. 1:20–24). “Incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary” (Nicene Creed), God is with us (Immanuel) in the flesh of Jesus, Mary’s Son. Joseph believes that Word of God and so demonstrates a marvelous example in his immediate and quiet obedience, taking Mary to be his wife and caring for her in faith and love. He loves her because the love of God is manifest in this, that “the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world,” “to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10, 14).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — Three-Year Lectionary Series A (opens in a new tab). Used by permission. These pages may be reproduced for congregational use only. Commercial reproduction, or reproduction for sale of this work or any portion of this work, without the written permission of the copyright holder, is prohibited. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Scripture quoted in the summary is from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Introit, Gradual and Verse
Source: LCMS Three-Year Series (A) Propers Chart (opens in a new tab). Citations only; no liturgical or Scripture text is reproduced.
Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church for December 24, 2025 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Almighty God, by the incarnation of Your eternal Son, You revealed that You are love. Give us true faith in Christ and His promise that by His conception, virgin birth, holy life, sacrificial death and victorious resurrection, our sins are forgiven and we are Yours. Fill us with joy, and lead us to proclaim Your glad tidings to all people. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, by the gift of Your Holy Spirit we testify that Your Son is the Savior of the world. Pour out Your Spirit continually upon Your people. Bless pastors as they proclaim Jesus who became flesh to save us by dying and rising again, and open our mouths to praise the name of the One born in Bethlehem. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Remember all families, Lord. Make each household a place of prayer and devotion to Your Word. Bless parents of young children with patience. Give comfort to the childless. Abide with the fatherless, widows and orphans, the lonely, and those separated from their families. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
King of Israel, the One born in Bethlehem is the Son of David and the Lord of David, to whom every knee shall bow. Look upon those You have placed in authority, and grant that they would govern in wisdom and justice. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, in the birth of Your Son You have visited and redeemed Your people. Continue to visit those who are lonely, sick, recovering or near death [including _____________]. Let Your presence be a comfort to them, and give them perseverance until that time You grant healing, relief, deliverance and peace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who feeds us in body and soul, give true faith in Your promises to all who will receive Your Son’s body and blood this night. Sustain Your people in humble repentance and godly living. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Remember the bereaved, O Lord. Give comfort to [_____________ and] all who grieve this night, that they might find, through the celebration of our Lord’s nativity, hope in the midst of sorrow, knowing that Christ was born to conquer death and give eternal life to all believers. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
All these things we pray, O Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ, Your own Son, whom You have made known to us in the mystery of the Word made flesh, who has fulfilled all the Law and the prophets and delivered us to You as Your own people through the blood of the everlasting covenant, that we may do what is good and right and pleasing in Your sight. To You be all glory and honor, worship and praise, now and forevermore. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series A 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Prayers of the Church for December 24, 2025 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For true faith in Christ and His promise that by His conception, virgin birth, holy life, sacrificial death and victorious resurrection, our sins are forgiven and we are His, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the love of God, that abiding in us and we in Him, we would grow in love toward one another and His love would be perfected in us, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For joy and delight in proclaiming the glad tidings of Christ to all people, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church and her constant testimony that Jesus is the Savior of the world; for pastors, that they would proclaim Christ boldly; and for all God’s people, that they would make known the praises of the One born in Bethlehem, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all families, that God would make each household a place of prayer and devotion to His Word; that He would bless parents of young children with patience; and that He would give comfort to the childless and abide with the fatherless, widows and orphans, the lonely, and those separated from their families, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For good government, that God would move all authorities to govern in service to the will of David’s Son and Lord, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the lonely, the sick, the recovering and those near death, [including _____________,] that God, who has visited and redeemed us by the birth of His Son, would visit them with His comforting presence and give them endurance until He grants His healing, relief, deliverance and peace at the proper time, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who will receive Christ’s body and blood this night, that they would have true faith in His Word and promises, be fed in body and soul, and be sustained in humble repentance and godly living, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the bereaved and all who grieve this night, [especially _____________,] that they might find hope through the celebration of our Lord’s nativity, knowing that Christ was born to conquer death and give eternal life to all believers, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
All these things we pray, O Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ, Your own Son, whom You have made known to us in the mystery of the Word made flesh, who has fulfilled all the Law and the prophets and delivered us to You as Your own people through the blood of the everlasting covenant, that we may do what is good and right and pleasing in Your sight. To You be all glory and honor, worship and praise, now and forevermore. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series A 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Hymn of the Day
LSB 359 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Christmas Eve (One-Year and Series A, B and C).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, p. 167 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Behold, a Branch is Growing — Historical TLH Edition
Historical text notice: This is the public-domain text of The Lutheran Hymnal 645, not the Lutheran Service Book 359 text. Wording and stanza form may differ.
1. Behold a branch is growing
As of loveliest form and grace,
As prophets sung, foreknowing;
It springs from Jesse’s race
And bears one little Flower
In midst of coldest winter,
At deepest midnight hour.
2. Isaiah hath foretold It
In words of promise sure,
And Mary’ s arms enfold It,
A virgin meek and pure.
Through God’s eternal will
This Child to her is given
At midnight calm and still.
3. The shepherds heard the story,
Proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of Glory,
Was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped
And in the manger found him,
As angel heralds said.
4. This Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere.
True Man, yet very God;
From sin and death He saves us
And lightens every load.
5. 0 Savior, Child of Mary,
Who felt our human woe;
Savior, King of Glory.
Who dost our weakness know,
Bring us at length, we pray.
To the bright courts of heaven
And to the endless day.
by Unknown, c. 1500; Translated by Harriet R. Spaeth, 1845-1925; stanzas 1-4; Translated by John C. Mattes, 1876-1948; stanza 5
Source: Project Wittenberg; The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn 645; text as printed in The Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal (1942) (opens in a new tab). Public domain. Project Wittenberg permits distribution, copying and printing.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 383 A Great and Mighty Wonder
- Distribution LSB 370 What Child Is This
- Distribution LSB 362 O Sing of Christ
- Closing LSB 360 All My Heart Again Rejoices
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — Three-Year Lectionary Series A 2025–26 (opens in a new tab). Hymn numbers and titles only; hymn texts are not reproduced. Reproduction for individual, church or school use does not require permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.