GATHERING
Confession and Forgiveness — omit; include bid for forgiveness during intercessions. This liturgy is certainly an opportunity to continue singing Christmas carols.
A possible Greeting:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in love.
Thanks be to God!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
Hymn of Praise — “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (with its reference to “veiled in flesh”)
WORD
The theme of the day is clearly the “Word became flesh.” The ‘word of truth’ coming in the person of Jesus of Nazareth is God’s eternal plan for us to be – and live as – children of God.
The Christ-Mass is a perfect opportunity for a Gospel Procession. The Procession is visible sign of the “Word becomes flesh”, as the Gospel (=Christ) moves into the midst of the assembly. “Rejoice, Rejoice, This Happy Morn” (LBW 43 – print out the text as it is in public domain) may be sung as the procession moves into the midst of assembly and stanza 5 of “O Morning Star” (ELW 308) be sung as the procession returns. Both hymns use WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET as the tune.
Hymn of the Day — ELW 295 is appropriate.
MEAL
An introduction to the Peace might be:
God strengthens the bars of your gates, satisfies you with finest wheat, and establishes peace on your borders. The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Offertory – “Listen, You Nations of the World” (Canticle #14 in LBW). This canticle is based on the Jeremiah reading.
SENDING
For the dismissal:
You have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.
We have set our hope on Christ and have been marked with seal of the promised Holy Spirit.
Go in peace, with the eyes of your hearts enlightened, living for the praise of God’s glory. Alleluia, alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia!