CHRISTMAS DAY
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25, 2025
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+ FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS + WELCOME HYMN—Once in Royal David’s City
Text: Cecil F. Alexander, 1818–1895, abr., alt. Tune: Henry J. Gauntlett, 1805–1876. Text and tune: Public domain.
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Christian Worship 343
Stand
BIDDING PRAYER Dear people of God, in this Christmas season, it is our duty and delight to hear again the message of the angels and, in heart and mind, to go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us—the Christ Child lying in a manger. Let us read and learn in Holy Scripture the story of the loving purposes of God from the first days after our fall into sin to the glorious redemption brought to us by this holy child. But first, let us pray for people all over the world who would delight with us to know the good news of Jesus Christ and who would join with us in singing his praises. Let us pray for the people of our community and for all those in our own congregation. And, because this would please our Lord, let us remember in his name the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed, the sick and those who are sad, the lonely and the unloved, and the elderly and the little children. We especially remember all those who do not know the Lord Jesus, those who do not love him, and those who by sin have grieved his heart of love. Finally, let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us in heaven, who live in greater light than we, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, who died in faith, and who live before the throne of God and praise him each day in his temple. We confess that we are united with them as we are united with one another.
Amen
LORD’S PRAYER Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
Be seated
SERMON
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FIRST LESSON
Genesis 3:8–15
The Seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head. 8
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the L God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the L God among the trees of the 9 garden. But the L God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10
He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
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And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12
The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13
Then the L
God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”
The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” 14
So the L
God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this,
“Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
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HYMN—Savior of the Nations, Come
Christian Worship 301
Text: tr. William M. Reynolds, 1812–1876, alt.; German version, Martin Luther, 1483–1546, abr.; Ambrose of Milan, 340–397, abr. Tune: Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn, Wittenberg, 1524, ed. Johann Walter. Text and tune: Public domain.
SECOND LESSON
Genesis 22:15–18
God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. 15
The angel of the L called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16and said, “I swear by myself, declares the L , that because you have done this and have not withheld your 17 son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
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HYMN—Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord
Christian Worship 315
Text: Heinrich Held, 1620–1659, abr.; (sts. 1–3): tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–1878, alt. Tune: Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn, Wittenberg, 1524, ed. Johann Walter. Public domain. Text (st. 4): tr. Christian Worship, 2021 © 2021 Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199.
THIRD LESSON The prophet foretells the coming of the Savior. 2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the L Almighty will accomplish this.
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Isaiah 9:2, 6, 7
HYMN—The People Who in Darkness Walked
Christian Worship 381
Text: John Morison, 1749–1798, abr., alt. Tune: Nicolaus Herman, c. 1480–1561. Text and tune: Public domain.
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FOURTH LESSON
Isaiah 11:1–9
A Branch from the stump of Jesse will bear fruit. 1
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the L will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the L 3 and he will delight in the fear of the L .
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He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. 5 Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. 6
The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. 7 The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. 9 They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the L as the waters cover the sea.
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HYMN—Behold, a Branch Is Growing
Christian Worship 360
Text: German, 16th cent.; (sts. 1–3): tr. Harriet R. K. Spaeth, 1845–1925; (st. 4): John C. Mattes, 1876–1948, alt. Tune: Alte Catholische Geistliche Kirchengeseng, Köln, 1599. Text and tune: Public domain.
FIFTH LESSON
Luke 1:26–35, 38
The angel Gabriel announces to Mary the birth of a son. 26
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 8
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“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
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The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 38
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
HYMN—The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
Text: para. Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834–1924, alt.; Basque, c. 18th cent. Tune: Basque, c. 18th cent. Text and tune: Public domain.
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Christian Worship 328
SIXTH LESSON
Luke 2:1–7
St. Luke tells of the birth of Jesus. 1
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to their own town to register. 4
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
HYMN—Away in a Manger
Christian Worship 340
Text (sts. 1–2): The Myrtle, Boston, 1884; (st. 3): Vineyard Songs, Louisville, 1892, alt. Tune: James R. Murray, 1841–1905. Text and tune: Public domain.
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SEVENTH LESSON
Luke 2:8–20
The shepherds go to the manger. 8
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
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When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
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HYMN—While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
Christian Worship 336
Text: Nahum Tate, 1652–1715, alt. Tune: The Whole Booke of Psalmes, London, 1592; attr. George Kirbye, c. 1560–1634. Text and tune: Public domain.
EIGHTH LESSON
Matthew 2:1–12
The Magi are led by the star to Jesus. 1
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6
“ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. 12
HYMN—As with Gladness Men of Old
Christian Worship 372
Text: William C. Dix, 1837–1898, alt. Tune: Conrad Kocher, 1786–1872, alt. Text and tune: Public domain.
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NINTH LESSON
John 1:1–14
St. John unfolds the great mystery of the incarnation. 1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 13
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The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Be seated
HYMN—O Come, All Ye Faithful
Christian Worship 354
Text: tr. Frederick Oakeley, 1802–1880, alt.; John F. Wade, c. 1711–1786. Tune: John F. Wade, c. 1711–1786, alt. Text and tune: Public domain.
SALUTATION The Lord be with you. And also with you. 14
BLESSING May he who by his incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with such joy that comes from the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the (+) Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
HYMN—Go, Tell It on the Mountain
Christian Worship 361
Text: John W. Work II, 1873–1925, verses, alt.; African American spiritual, refrain. Tune: African American spiritual. Text and tune: Public domain.
THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP THIS MORNING Minister ........................................................................................................................ Pastor Ryan Heiman Accompanist ...........................................................................................................................Laura Heiman Acknowledgements: Scripture readings are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Created by Christian Worship: Service Builder © 2025 Concordia Publishing House. Software distributed in partnership with Northwestern Publishing House.