Resources For Planning Christmas And Epiphany Worship
Source: The Complete Library of Christian Worship, Robert E. Webber, General EditorChristmas worship should be festive and joyous, expressing the themes of Incarnation and birth, themes which inaugurate the special announcement that salvation has come, that God is with us, that the time has been fulfilled. The resources of this section help the church capture these themes and the joy they bring to the people of God.
Lectionary Texts From Christmas To Epiphany
The following are the texts suggested for the Sundays of Advent in the Revised Common Lectionary. Brief descriptions of each lesson are provided to aid in recalling the basic theme of each passage. Descriptions of each lesson are provided to aid in recalling the basic theme of each passage.
Traditional Opening Prayers For Christmas Worship
Many of the following texts date to the earliest recorded years of the history of the church. Each of the prayers express the basic themes of Christmas worship. Adapt the prayers below to local style and custom.
Prayers For Christmas Worship
The following prayers are based on the language of appropriate Scripture readings for the Christmas season. They can be used as printed or can serve as models for other prayers. Consult the commentary after each prayer for specific Scripture references and related information.
A Creed For Christmas Worship
During the Christmas season, use the Nicene Creed, the Apostles' Creed, or the following creed, adapted from Philippians 2:5-11.
A Dramatic Reading For Christmas
The following reading is based on various Scripture readings for the Christmas season.
Litany For Christmas Sunday
The reading below may be read at the beginning of worship after the gathering and before the Hymn of Entrance.
The Blessing Of The Crèche
In many churches it is a tradition to bless the crche during the opening of the Christmas service. A person in the processional may carry a figure representing the Christ child to the crche and lay the child in the crche as a symbol of the birth of Christ. Then, the following may be said:
An Entrance Rite For Epiphany
Emphasize the importance of Epiphany by elaborating the opening of worship with a special dialogue. The litany below will help the congregation realize the significance of the day and will underscore their own need to be a light to the world.
Prayers For Epiphany
The following scripturally based prayers capture the power images associated with worship on Epiphany. Adapt to local need or custom.
Prayers Of Thanksgiving For Christmas And Epiphany Eucharist
Prayer of Thanksgiving for Christmas Eucharist
Blessings For Christmas And Epiphany Worship
The following blessings are appropriate for use during the season of Christmas and Epiphany.
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