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January 4, 2026
See TodayChristmas 2
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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1 Kings 3:4–15 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
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4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.
5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. 6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. 9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. 14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. 15 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.
- Psalm
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Psalm 119:97–104 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
- Epistle
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Eph. 1:3–14 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
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3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
- Gospel
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Luke 2:40–52 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. 41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Christmas 2
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
The Lord Jesus Is Found in the Temple of His Church
The Lord Jesus “grew and became strong” (Luke 2:40); He “increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). As His body grew and developed, His mind also increased in knowledge and understanding. For as our brother in the flesh, that we might “have redemption through his blood” (Eph. 1:7), He lived by faith in the Word of His Father. Thus, He was catechized by His parents, who took Him up “to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover” (Luke 2:41); and when He was of age, He gave attention to the Holy Scriptures in His Father’s house (Luke 2:46, 49). Christ Jesus is still found in His Church, in “the word of truth, the gospel,” by which we are adopted by His Father and sealed with His Spirit (Eph. 1:5, 13). Thus do we gain “an understanding mind” to go about our vocations, discerning “between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9). And so do we also go up to Jerusalem to stand “before the ark of the covenant of the Lord” (1 Kings 3:15), that is, in the Holy Communion of His body and blood.
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 January 4, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
O Lord, to Solomon You granted wisdom and a discerning mind. Give Your people such wisdom from Your Word and a mind to discern truth from error, that we may know Jesus Christ and not depart from Him amid the winds of change and doubt that challenge our faith. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, You have blessed us in Christ, Your beloved Son, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Preserve Your Church by the preaching of the Gospel of salvation and the seal of the promised Holy Spirit in Baptism. Raise up among us faithful preachers to the praise of Christ’s glory, until we acquire the inheritance promised us in Him. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, Your own Son became incarnate for us and grew from childhood into maturity filled with wisdom, and Your favor was upon Him. Grant to parents and children the wisdom and courage to know You as Savior and Redeemer and to gather at Your bidding around Your Word and table. Help us form within our children the knowledge of what is right and good according to Your Word, as well as the will to do it. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord, You set apart kings and governments to safeguard Your people. Bless, we pray, our president; the Congress; our governor; our legislature; and all those who make, administer and judge our laws. Make them wise, and give them a discerning heart in the pursuit of justice for the offender, peace between the nations, and protection for the unborn and those least able to defend themselves. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful God, give patience and endurance to all who are sick or in any need, [especially _____________,] and heal them according to Your will. Give comfort and hope to all who mourn [especially _____________]. Receive our thanksgiving for every blessing and kindness You have shown to Your people in Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, as blessed Mary treasured all things in her heart, grant us to know what is worthy of our attention and what will pass away, that approaching the table of our Lord we may be well-prepared to receive with repentance and faith His flesh for the life of the world and His blood that cleanses us from all our sin. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
All these things and whatever else You know that we need, grant us, Father, for the sake of Him who died and rose again and now lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. 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 January 4, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the wisdom of God’s Word and a mind to discern truth from error, that we may know Jesus Christ and not depart from Him amid the winds of change and doubt that challenge our faith, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church, blessed in Christ, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the preaching of the Gospel of salvation and the seal of the promised Holy Spirit in Baptism, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That God would raise up faithful preachers among us to the praise of Christ’s glory until we acquire the inheritance promised us in Him, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For parents and their children, that they would be given the wisdom and courage to know Christ as Savior and Redeemer and to gather around the Word and Sacraments; and that the Lord would help parents form within their children the knowledge of, and the will to do, what is right according to God’s Word, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our president; the Congress; our governor; our legislature; and all who make, administer and judge our laws, that the Lord would make them wise and give them a discerning heart in pursuit of justice for the offender, peace between nations, and protection for the unborn and those least able to defend themselves, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick and everyone in any kind of need [especially _____________]; for patience and healing according to God’s will; for those who mourn [especially _____________]; and in thanksgiving for every blessing and kindness shown to us in Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That we, like blessed Mary, may know what is worthy of our attention and what will pass away; and that, approaching the table of our Lord, we may be well-prepared to receive His flesh for the life of the world and His blood that cleanses us from all sin, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
All these things and whatever else You know that we need, grant us, Father, for the sake of Him who died and rose again and now lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. 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 410 Within the Father’s House
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for First Sunday after Epiphany (One-Year), Christmas 2 (Series A) and Second Sunday after Christmas (Series 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.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 850 God of Grace and God of Glory
- Distribution LSB 602 The Gifts Christ Freely Gives
- Distribution LSB 540 Christ, the Word of God Incarnate
- Closing LSB 384 Of the Father’s Love Begotten
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.