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December 28, 2025
See TodayChristmas 1
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Isaiah 63:7–14 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Psalm
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Psalm 111 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
Great Are the Lord’s Works
111:1 Praise the LORD!
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the LORD,
studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the LORD is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
8 they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!(ESV)
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- Epistle
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Gal. 4:4–7 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Gospel
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Matt. 2:13–23 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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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.