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 Midnight
Three-Year Lectionary · Series B
- First Reading
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Isaiah 9:2–7 (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
NIV Scripture text
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- Psalm
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Psalm 96 (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
NIV Scripture text
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- Epistle
-
Titus 2:11–14 (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
NIV Scripture text
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11For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.Select KJV to load this Scripture text.
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- Gospel
-
Luke 2:1–14 (15–20) (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Christmas Midnight
Three-Year Lectionary · Series B
About this service
The Light of Christ Shines Forth in the Darkness
Heaven and earth rejoice this night because the glory of the holy Triune God is manifested in the human birth of “our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). In Him, the Father’s grace, mercy and peace rest upon the world. The silence of death is broken by this “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). And all we who have gone astray like lost and wandering sheep, who have “walked in darkness” of doubt and fear and sinful unbelief, behold “a great light” in the nativity of Christ (Is. 9:2). In Him “the grace of God has appeared” (Titus 2:11). For this child of Mary who is born for us, this dear Son of God who is given to us, bears the burden of our sin and death in His own body to the cross. He thereby establishes a government of peace, “with justice and with righteousness,” which shall have no end; not by any work of man, but “the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this” (Is. 9:7).
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
- Antiphon
- liturgical text
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
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Hymn of the Day
LSB 358 From Heav’n Above to Earth I Come
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Christmas Midnight (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 376 Once in Royal David’s City
- Distribution LSB 370 What Child Is This
- Distribution LSB 369 Where Shepherds Lately Knelt
- Distribution LSB 364/5 Away in a Manger
- Closing LSB 363 Silent Night, Holy Night
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.