Three-Year Lectionary
Study the appointed readings, prayers and resources for Series A, Series B and Series C through the Church Year.
December 24, 2026
See TodayChristmas Eve
Three-Year Lectionary · Series B
- First Reading
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Isaiah 7:10–14 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Psalm
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Psalm 110:1–4 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Epistle
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1 John 4:7–16 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Gospel
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Matt. 1:18–25 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Christmas Eve
Three-Year Lectionary · Series B
About this service
The Word of the Lord Is Fulfilled in the Flesh of Jesus
Though Ahaz would not ask, the Lord gives a sign to the House of David — “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Is. 7:14). With this promise, He signifies that salvation is by His grace alone. It is no work or achievement of man, but the Lord’s own work and His free gift. The promise is fulfilled as the Son of God is conceived and born of the Virgin Mary, and the sign is received in faith by the House of David in the person of Joseph (Matt. 1:20–24). “Incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary” (Nicene Creed), God is with us (Immanuel) in the flesh of Jesus, Mary’s Son. Joseph believes that Word of God and so demonstrates a marvelous example in his immediate and quiet obedience, taking Mary to be his wife and caring for her in faith and love. He loves her because the love of God is manifest in this, that “the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world,” to be “the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10–14).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — Three-Year Lectionary Series B (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 (B) 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 24, 2023 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Lord God Almighty, on this most holy night we come before You in awe at the wonder and majesty of the incarnation. The Savior of the nations has come, and with joy we greet our newborn King. Let the proclamation of His birth sound forth throughout the world. Give to Your Church faithful pastors to proclaim the good tidings of His birth, and give to Your people willing ears to hear and believe. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, You sent an angel to reveal to Joseph that the Child in Mary’s womb was Your own, preserving their marriage and family. Preserve our homes also by Your Holy Word. Fill them with Your grace, that husbands and wives, parents and children may live in peace and love with one another. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, the One born in Bethlehem is the Son of David and the Lord of David, to whom every knee shall bow. Look upon those You have placed in authority, and grant that they would govern in wisdom and justice. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, You love us and sent Your Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Strengthen us to love one another. As You have mercy upon all who are poor and troubled, so perfect Your love in us, that we would gladly be Your instruments of help in time of need. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Giver and Preserver of life, Your Son came to save us from sin and its curse. Hear the pleas of all who call to You for mercy [especially _____________]. Deliver them from affliction according to Your will, and work in them steadfast faith to cling to the life they have in Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty Father, guard in safety all emergency workers and those whose vocations keep them from their families for our well-being this evening. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy Lord, You promised the virgin-born Son to reluctant King Ahaz, and in the fullness of time the Word became flesh. Open our hearts and strengthen our faith gladly to receive Your Son in the signs where He is present: not in signs of our own choosing, but in the Holy Word and Sacraments. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, You have given Your Son, born of Mary, to be the Savior of the world. Send Your Spirit and abide with us, that we may confess Him and remain in Your love until He comes again in glory; for He lives and reigns with You and the same Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series B 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 December 24, 2023 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
On this most holy night, in awe at the wonder and majesty of the incarnation and in thanksgiving that the Savior of the nations has come, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That the proclamation of Christ’s birth would sound forth throughout the world, that God would give faithful pastors to His Church to proclaim these good tidings, and that He would give His people willing ears to hear and believe, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For peace in all homes, that our heavenly Father, who revealed Jesus’ identity and Mary’s fidelity to Joseph, would richly preserve all families with His Word and grace to live in love for one another, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For good government, that God would move all authorities to govern in service to the will of David’s Son and Lord, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For generosity, that the Father who loves us and sent His Son as the propitiation for our sins would perfect His love in us to show kindness to those in need, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For deliverance from affliction, that God, who sent Jesus to save us from sin’s curse, would hear the pleas of all who call to Him for mercy [especially _____________]; and that He would rescue them from trouble and preserve them in the hope of the resurrection in Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For emergency workers and all whose vocations keep them from their families for our well-being this evening, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For faith and humility to receive the virgin-born Son of God in the signs where He is promised to be found: His Holy Word and Sacraments, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Almighty God, You have given Your Son, born of Mary, to be the Savior of the world. Send Your Spirit and abide with us, that we may confess Him and remain in Your love until He comes again in glory; for He lives and reigns with You and the same Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series B 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 359 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Christmas Eve (One-Year and Series A, 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.
Behold, a Branch is Growing — Historical TLH Edition
Historical text notice: This is the public-domain text of The Lutheran Hymnal 645, not the Lutheran Service Book 359 text. Wording and stanza form may differ.
1. Behold a branch is growing
As of loveliest form and grace,
As prophets sung, foreknowing;
It springs from Jesse’s race
And bears one little Flower
In midst of coldest winter,
At deepest midnight hour.
2. Isaiah hath foretold It
In words of promise sure,
And Mary’ s arms enfold It,
A virgin meek and pure.
Through God’s eternal will
This Child to her is given
At midnight calm and still.
3. The shepherds heard the story,
Proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of Glory,
Was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped
And in the manger found him,
As angel heralds said.
4. This Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere.
True Man, yet very God;
From sin and death He saves us
And lightens every load.
5. 0 Savior, Child of Mary,
Who felt our human woe;
Savior, King of Glory.
Who dost our weakness know,
Bring us at length, we pray.
To the bright courts of heaven
And to the endless day.
by Unknown, c. 1500; Translated by Harriet R. Spaeth, 1845-1925; stanzas 1-4; Translated by John C. Mattes, 1876-1948; stanza 5
Source: Project Wittenberg; The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn 645; text as printed in The Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal (1942) (opens in a new tab). Public domain. Project Wittenberg permits distribution, copying and printing.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 379 O Come, All Ye Faithful
- Distribution LSB 386 Now Sing We, Now Rejoice
- Distribution LSB 352 Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord
- Distribution LSB 368 Angels We Have Heard on High
- Closing LSB 380 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — Three-Year Lectionary Series B 2023–24 (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.