Three-Year Lectionary
Study the appointed readings, prayers and resources for Series A, Series B and Series C through the Church Year.
December 25, 2026
See TodayChristmas Dawn
Three-Year Lectionary · Series B
- First Reading
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Isaiah 62:10–12 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Psalm
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Psalm 98 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Epistle
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Titus 3:4–7 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Gospel
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Luke 2:(1–14) 15–20 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Christmas Dawn
Three-Year Lectionary · Series B
About this service
Christ Jesus Reveals Himself in the Signs He Has Given to His Church
The Lord has not forsaken us. He has come to us and sought us out to save us (Is. 62:11–12), “so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7). In Christ Jesus, conceived and born of Mary, “the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared” (Titus 3:4). Now He is lifted up in the Gospel, “a signal over the peoples” (Is. 62:10), that He might call us to rejoice in His salvation. St. Luke emphasizes the signs by which the shepherds once found Him: in Bethlehem, the City of David, “wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12). The same Lord Jesus reveals Himself to us in the sure and certain signs of His Gospel. His Church is a true Bethlehem (House of Bread); for the Son of David, “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11), feeds us with His body and His blood from the manger of His altar, wrapped in swaddling cloths of bread and wine. Let us ponder these mysteries and, like the shepherds, go about our vocations, “glorifying and praising God” (Luke 2:19–20).
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 are not yet available locally for this service.
Hymn of the Day
LSB 375 Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Christmas Dawn (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.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 378 Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light
- Distribution LSB 381 Let Our Gladness Have No End
- Distribution LSB 374 Gentle Mary Laid Her Child
- Distribution LSB 392 God Loves Me Dearly
- Closing LSB 387 Joy to the World
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.