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January 1, 2026
See TodayCircumcision & Name of Jesus
One-Year Lectionary
- First Reading
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Num. 6:22–27 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Psalm
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Psalm 8 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Epistle
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Gal. 3:23–29 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Gospel
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Luke 2:21 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Circumcision & Name of Jesus
One-Year Lectionary
About this service
Jesus Blesses Us with His Name and Saves Us with His Blood
Our newborn God keeps the Law for us and brings Abraham’s promises to their fulfillment when He is circumcised. It is there that the name above all names is “bestowed on him” (Phil. 2:9), “the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb”: Jesus, which means “the Lord saves” (Luke 2:21). He sheds the first drops of His precious blood in accordance with this name and in anticipation of His cross, “for he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). The law’s captivity gives way to the freedom of faith in Christ Jesus, who cuts a new covenant in His blood to be received by faith, whether male or female, Jew or Greek (Gal. 3:23–28). His name is given to us in Holy Baptism, and we are made sons of God and “heirs according to promise,” true offspring of Abraham by faith (Gal. 3:29). Eight days after the celebration of our Lord’s birth, a new “Year of our Lord” is begun in Jesus’ holy name and with His benediction. Jesus is the Lord, and by this name we are blessed (Num. 6:22–27).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — Feasts, Festivals and Occasions (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
Reviewed Introit, Gradual and Verse citations have not yet been published in the Toolbox for this service.
Collect
Historical Collect — The Circumcision of Christ—New Year
O LORD God, Who, for our sakes, hast made Thy Blessed Son, our Saviour, subject to the Law, and caused Him to endure the circumcision of the flesh; Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit, that our hearts may be pure from all sinful desires and lusts, through the same, Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book (Baltimore, 1893), Introits and Collects for the Church Year (opens in a new tab). Public-domain text (published 1893), transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of the Princeton Theological Seminary Library copy.
Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church for January 1, 2024 — Responsive Form
Everlasting Father, our time is in Your hands. Thank You for Your gracious favor throughout the past year. Preserve us in the days to come through the changes and chances of this mortal life, and bring us at last to that blessed day when every barrier and division shall be healed, when time itself shall end and we shall be one people, together in Your presence forevermore. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, in great tenderness toward us You sent Your Son into our flesh to fulfill the Law in perfect love. Grant to Your baptized children throughout the world joy in Your will and a desire to walk in Your ways. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Great are You, O Lord, and greatly to be praised. Let Your name be blessed every day among our families and in our homes, that one generation may tell to the next the wonderful works You have wrought in Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, bring an end to the hatred and violence that threaten all people. Order our days and our doings by Your Word. Give wisdom to our president, Congress, judges and all in authority over us. Deliver us from every danger, and establish Your peace throughout the world. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, preserve those who are sick or suffering [especially _____________] in the hope that You alone can give, for Your Son has borne our sins and infirmities on the cross and rose triumphant from the grave. According to Your good pleasure, grant them healing and relief. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant us hearts of repentance, that we would approach the table of Your Son with a clean heart and receive with faith His very body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins. Bless our congregation with unity of faith and harmony of life, that here on earth we would manifest Your everlasting love, kindness and peace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You made Your Son a little lower than the heavenly beings for our salvation, and now He sits enthroned in heaven, crowned with glory and honor. Receive our thanks for all who have gone before us, who bore Your name in this world and now stand before You in heaven. Bless us all in this new year, and preserve us in faith until that day when we also stand before You in glory; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — One-Year 2023–2024 (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 January 1, 2024 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the new year, in thanksgiving for God’s providence throughout the past year, that God would continue to show us His favor and preserve us in the days to come through all the changes and chances of this mortal life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That God would bring us at last to that blessed day when every barrier and division shall be healed, when time itself shall end and we shall be one people, together in His presence forevermore, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all the baptized, that since Christ has fulfilled the Law on our behalf, we would rejoice to do the will of our heavenly Father and always desire to walk in His ways, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all families and homes, that one generation may tell to the next the wonderful works of God in Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the nations, that God would bring an end to the hatred and violence that threaten all people; that He would order our days and our doings by His Word; that He would give wisdom to our president, Congress, judges and all in authority over us; that He would deliver us from every danger; and that He would establish His peace throughout the world, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick and suffering, [especially _____________,] that they would have relief from their afflictions and the hope that Christ alone can give, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who approach the holy altar today, that God would grant us hearts of repentance and faith to receive the blessed Sacrament for the forgiveness of sins; and for our congregation, that it may be blessed with unity of faith and harmony of life, manifesting His everlasting love, kindness and peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You made Your Son a little lower than the heavenly beings for our salvation, and now He sits enthroned in heaven, crowned with glory and honor. Receive our thanks for all who have gone before us, who bore Your name in this world and now stand before You in heaven. Bless us all in this new year, and preserve us in faith until that day when we also stand before You in glory; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — One-Year 2023–2024 (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 900 Jesus! Name of Wondrous Love
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Circumcision & Name of Jesus (One-Year) and Circumcision and Name of Jesus (Series A, B and C).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, p. 170 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
LSB 896 Now Greet the Swiftly Changing Year
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Circumcision & Name of Jesus (One-Year) and Circumcision and Name of Jesus (Series A, B and C).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, p. 170 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 898 The Ancient Law Departs
- Distribution LSB 746 Through Jesus’ Blood and Merit
- Distribution LSB 367 Angels from the Realms of Glory
- Closing LSB 897 O Rejoice, Ye Christians, Loudly
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — One-Year Lectionary Series 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.