Live in the rhythm of the Church Year.
Explore the readings, prayers, hymns and seasons that form Christian life week by week.
December 28, 2025
See TodayChristmas 1
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
-
Isaiah 63:7–14 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
Select ESV to load this Scripture text.
Select NIV to load this Scripture text.
7 I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. 8 For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. 9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. 11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him? 12 That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name? 13 That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble? 14 As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.
- Psalm
-
Psalm 111 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
Select ESV to load this Scripture text.
Select NIV to load this Scripture text.
1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
2 The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
- Epistle
-
Gal. 4:4–7 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
Select ESV to load this Scripture text.
Select NIV to load this Scripture text.
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
- Gospel
-
Matt. 2:13–23 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
Select ESV to load this Scripture text.
Select NIV to load this Scripture text.
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee 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 into Egypt: 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. 21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts 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.
Christmas 1
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
The Lord Jesus Undergoes a New Exodus in Order to Save His People from Their Sins
Herod’s efforts to destroy the little Lord Jesus anticipate the cross for which He was born. In response to Herod’s edict, Joseph must “take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt” (Matt. 2:13). But the Lord does not abandon the Holy Family there. He brings about salvation for all people, just as He “had spoken by the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son’” (Matt. 2:15). With might and strength, God accompanies His people, causing “his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses” (Is. 63:12). Now through Jesus, even our afflictions are borne by Christ on the cross. “He redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them” (Is. 63:9). All of this is accomplished by God’s might so that we, too, are claimed as members of His family. For we “receive adoption as sons” in the only begotten Son, Christ Jesus, even as He became like us by His conception and birth of the woman. Thus redeemed by Christ, no longer slaves of sin and death but beloved children and heirs of God, we pray in Jesus’ name: “Abba! Father!” (Gal. 4:4–6).
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 28, 2025 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Lord, we are the people of Your promise, to whom You have revealed Your Son as Savior and Redeemer. Bless Your Church, that we may enjoy the gift of good and faithful ministers. Prosper Your Word and bring to fruition its proclamation in every place and time. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, You give us the gift of each other. Renew our fellowship as the Body of Christ. Grant all things beneficial for husbands and wives, the single, those who desire marriage, and the lonely who yearn to know the comfort of friends and family. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth! Out of the mouths of babes and nursing infants You have perfected Your praise. Silence the enemy and the avenger. Turn the hearts of all who, like Herod, would despise children or destroy the unborn for selfish gain. Show Your forgiveness to those who are penitent. Give Your comfort to all women who mourn the loss of infants, and fix our eyes on Christ, who for a time was spared but has shed His blood for our salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful God, You appoint leaders and give the responsibility of authority. Protect our nation and its leaders. Grant them wisdom in their pursuit of justice. Bring Your gift of peace in the world, and give relief to those who suffer oppression. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty Lord, You are the Great Physician. Grant healing in accordance with Your will for the sick and those who suffer [especially _____________].Give strength to those who give aid and care for the sick. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, in Holy Communion You unite us in the body and blood of Your Son. Enable us to receive this Sacrament with faith and be strengthened by it. Bring soon, O Lord, unity of faith and doctrine so that all divisions may cease and we may be fully one at the altar. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, all that we have comes from You. Give us grateful hearts, that we may receive Your gifts with joy and use them wisely for Your glory. May our worship this day be pleasing in Your sight. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, You are the bringer of true joy. Grant Your Holy Spirit to increase and sustain us in this joy and thanksgiving throughout the days of this Christmas season, until that day when at last Christ returns in His glory as Lord and judge of all. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Hear us, O Lord, for we are the people of Your promise and the children whom You have redeemed through the salvation accomplished through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. 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 28, 2025 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church, the people of God’s promise, to whom He has revealed His Son as Savior and Redeemer, that we may enjoy the gift of good and faithful ministers; and that the Lord may prosper the Word and bring to fruition its proclamation in every place and time, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the renewal of our fellowship as the Body of Christ; and for families, husbands and wives, the single, those who desire marriage, and the lonely who yearn to know the comfort of friendship and family, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For babes and nursing infants, out of whose mouths the Lord perfects His praise, that our Lord would silence their enemies, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who, like Herod, would despise children or destroy the unborn for selfish gain, that the Lord would turn their hearts, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who mourn the loss of infants, that they would fix their eyes on Christ who, though spared for a time, shed His blood for the world’s salvation, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick and those who suffer, that the Lord would grant them healing in accordance with His will [especially _____________]; and for those who give aid and care to the sick, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our communion this day in the body and blood of Christ, that we may receive this Sacrament with faith and be strengthened by it; and that the Lord would soon bring unity of faith and doctrine so that all divisions may cease and we may be fully one at the altar, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For grateful hearts, that we would receive the Lord’s gifts with joy and use them wisely and for His glory; and for grace, that our worship may be pleasing in the Lord’s sight, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That the Holy Spirit would increase our joy and sustain us in this joy and thanksgiving throughout the days of this Christmas season, until that day when at last the Lord returns in His glory as Lord and judge of all, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Hear us, O Lord, for we are the people of Your promise and the children whom You have redeemed through the salvation accomplished through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. 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 389 Let All Together Praise Our God
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for First Sunday after Christmas (One-Year and Series B and C) and Christmas 1 (Series A).
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.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 385 From East to West
- Distribution LSB 624 The Infant Priest Was Holy Born
- Distribution LSB 619 Thy Body, Given for Me, O Savior
- Closing LSB 390 Let Us All with Gladsome Voice
- Entrance LSB 733 O God, Our Help in Ages Past
- Distribution LSB 606 I Lay My Sins on Jesus
- Distribution LSB 619 Thy Body, Given for Me, O Savior
- Closing LSB 920 Forth in the Peace of Christ We Go
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.