Three-Year Lectionary
Study the appointed readings, prayers and resources for Series A, Series B and Series C through the Church Year.
January 1, 2026
See TodayCircumcision and Name of Jesus
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- 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 and Name of Jesus
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
The Lord Jesus Comes in the Flesh to Fulfill the Law for Us and Save Us from Our Sins
Circumcision is the covenant God made with Abraham and his seed. It sealed God’s promises and blessings in the flesh, but it also signified the burden of the Law. When the Lord Jesus came in the flesh to redeem His people, He subjected Himself to the Law in order to fulfill the Law and release all men from its captivity. “He was called Jesus” (Luke 2:21), because He came to save His people from their sins. He would shed His blood on their behalf, as He did already when “he was circumcised” (Luke 2:21). As He also sacrificed Himself upon the cross, you are “justified by faith” in His blood (Gal. 3:24). Therefore, “you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Gal. 3:29), not by the circumcision of your flesh, but in the flesh and blood of Christ Jesus, the true seed of Abraham. “Baptized into Christ,” you belong to Him and are clothed and covered by His righteousness (Gal. 3:27). Holy Baptism is the true circumcision made without hands, by which the Lord Jesus puts His name on you and blesses you (Num. 6:22, 27).
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
Reviewed Introit, Gradual and Verse citations have not yet been published in the Toolbox for this service.
Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church for January 1, 2023 — Responsive Form
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth. The heavens are the work of Your fingers, yet You willed to save us in the most humble and sacrificial of ways. Already eight days after being born of the virgin Mary, Your Son was at work for our salvation by fulfilling Your Law and shedding His blood. Receive our heartfelt thanks for the righteousness and forgiveness of sins we have obtained through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Blessed God, You sent Your Son into our flesh, and as an infant He first shed the blood that would cleanse us from our sin. Accept our thanks for the loving kindness shown to us sinners. Grant us a steadfast faith, that we would not forget all of Your benefits or lose sight of Your promises. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, You declare that in Christ Jesus there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for we are all one in Him. Preserve us from all ungodly prejudice, yet instill in us a deep appreciation of our distinctive callings. Grant that we would not resent what You have called us to be and to do, but rejoice to serve as You have ordained. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Blessed Lord, You have shown Your power by establishing governments and leaders to serve Your people in Your name. Grant to our president, governor, Congress, legislators, judges and magistrates the wisdom and courage to act with integrity on behalf of all people, especially those least able to defend themselves. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father in heaven, bless and keep us by Your grace. Remember those in need who cry out to You [especially _____________]. According to Your will and wisdom, lift up Your countenance upon them and give them peace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy God, You invite Your children to the table of Your Son. Give us Your Holy Spirit, that we would discern Christ’s body and blood in this Sacrament and come with joyful and repentant hearts to receive the foretaste of the eternal feast. Strengthen us by this blessed communion, that we would love You above all and love one another in Your name. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, in Your steadfast love You have put off the day of Jesus’ return until the perfect time, when the number of Your elect is complete. Keep Your people watchful, vigilant and awake with Your gift of faith until that day; through the same 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 — Series A 2022–2023 (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, 2023 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For humble hearts, that we would acknowledge the great wonder of our almighty God sending His Son to be born of the virgin Mary, under the Law, working already for our salvation on the day of His circumcision; and that God would receive our heartfelt thanks for the righteousness and forgiveness of sins we have obtained through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For steadfast faith, that we would ever be thankful for the lovingkindness God has shown to us in Christ, and never forget His benefits or lose sight of His promises, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For preservation from prejudice, that we would firmly believe from God’s Word that we are all one in Christ; for a deep appreciation of our distinctive callings, that we would recognize the beauty of God’s diverse creation and our specific place within it; and that we would not resent what God has called us to be and to do, but rejoice to serve as He has ordained, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our leaders, including our president, governor, Congress, legislators, judges and magistrates, that our God would give them the wisdom and courage to act with integrity on behalf of all people, especially those least able to defend themselves, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those in need who cry out to God, [especially _____________,] that our Father would remember them, bless and keep them by His grace, lift up His countenance upon them, and give them peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all the children of God invited to the table of His Son here today, that He would give us His Holy Spirit to discern Christ’s body and blood and come with joyful and repentant hearts; and that He would strengthen us by this blessed communion to love Him above all and to love one another in His name, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Gracious Father, in Your steadfast love You have put off the day of Jesus’ return until the perfect time, when the number of Your elect is complete. Keep Your people watchful, vigilant and awake with Your gift of faith until that day; through the same 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 — Series A 2022–2023 (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 896 Now Greet the Swiftly Changing Year
- Distribution LSB 403 O Savior of Our Fallen Race
- Distribution LSB 594 God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It
- Closing LSB 362 O Sing of Christ
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.