January 1, 2017
FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS

INTRODUCTION
As we celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas, our gospel today confronts us with the death of innocent children at the hands of Herod. The birth of Christ does not remove the power of evil from our world, but its light gives us hope as we walk with all the "holy innocents" of past generations and today who have suffered unjustly. In our gathering around word and meal, God continues to redeem us, lift us up, and carry us as in days of old.

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

Blessed be the Holy One of Israel,
the Word made flesh,
the Power of the Most High,
+ one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Gathered in the name of Jesus,
let us confess our sin against God and our neighbor.

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

Gracious God,
in Christ Jesus you come among us
as light shining in darkness.
We confess our failure to welcome this light.
Forgive us and renew our hope,
so that we may live in the light of your grace,
and welcome the truth of Christ the Lord. Amen.

I bring you good news of great joy for all the people:
To you is born a Savior, Christ the Lord.
Your sins are forgiven in + Jesus' name.
Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY
O Lord God, you know that we cannot place our trust in our own powers. As you protected the infant Jesus, so defend us and all the needy from harm and adversity, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. Let the peace of Christ rule | in your hearts, and let the word of Christ dwell | in you richly. Alleluia. (Col. 3:15, 16)

READINGS AND PSALM
Isaiah 63:7-9
Psalm 148
The splendor of the LORD is over earth and heaven. (Ps. 148:13)
Hebrews 2:10-18
Matthew 2:13-23

FIRST READING: Isaiah 63:7-9
God does not delegate divine intervention to a messenger or angel. God's own presence brings salvation. The prophet and all who read these words join in celebrating God's gracious deeds. God trusts that God's people will not act falsely.

7I will recount the gracious deeds of the LORD, the praiseworthy acts of the LORD, because of all that the LORD has done for us, and the great favor to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. 8For he said, "Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely"; and he became their savior 9in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

PSALM: Psalm 148
The splendor of the LORD is over earth and heaven. (Ps. 148:13)

1Hallelujah! Praise the LORD | from the heavens;
	praise God | in the heights.
2Praise the LORD, | all you angels;
	sing praise, all you | hosts of heaven.
3Praise the LORD, | sun and moon;
	sing praise, all you | shining stars.
4Praise the LORD, heav- | en of heavens,
	and you waters a- | bove the heavens.
5Let them praise the name | of the LORD,
	who commanded, and they | were created,
6who made them stand fast forev- | er and ever,
	giving them a law that shall not | pass away.   R
7Praise the LORD | from the earth,
	you sea monsters | and all deeps;
8fire and hail, | snow and fog,
	tempestuous wind, do- | ing God's will;
9mountains | and all hills,
	fruit trees | and all cedars;
10wild beasts | and all cattle,
	creeping things and | flying birds;
11sovereigns of the earth | and all peoples,
	princes and all rulers | of the world;
12young | men and maidens,
	old and | young together.   R
13Let them praise the name | of the LORD,
	whose name only is exalted,
	whose splendor is over | earth and heaven.
14The LORD has raised up strength for the people
and praise for all | faithful servants,
	the children of Israel, a people who are near the LORD.
	| Hallelujah!   R

SECOND READING: Hebrews 2:10-18
Through Jesus' suffering and death, the trail to eternal salvation has been blazed for us. We do not fear death, because he has conquered the power of death. Thus Christ, our merciful and faithful high priest, has the final say over the destiny of our lives.

10It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you." 13And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Here am I and the children whom God has given me." 14Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

GOSPEL: Matthew 2:13-23
Matthew relates the slaughter of babies in Bethlehem as one example of evil in the world. Jesus has been born into this world to manifest God's presence and save his people from their sins.

13Now after [the wise men] had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." 14Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son." 16When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. 17Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 18"A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more." 19When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 20Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead. 21Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. 23There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He will be called a Nazorean."

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
The prayers are prepared locally for each occasion. The following examples may be adapted or used as appropriate.
Rejoicing in the good news of Christ's birth and dwelling in hope, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of creation.
A brief silence.
Merciful God, make your presence known throughout your church in all its different forms. Guide preachers and teachers to proclaim the work you do in this and every place. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
You created the earth and all it contains. Send rain and snow to parched places so that plants and animals thrive. Direct us to be good stewards of all that you create. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
You heal what is broken and make all things new. Grant peace in war-torn nations (especially), diplomatic wisdom to leaders, and end the torment of violence, so that all people live in safety and security. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
You call us as your children and comfort us in our afflictions. Bring patience to the distressed, compassion to the grieving, and relief to the suffering (especially), so that all experience your loving care. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
You gather us together and feed us with your word and sacrament. Send us forth to make your name known to all in our community by serving our neighbors. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
You give us examples of Christlike living through the witness of the faithful departed. As your beloved called on the name of Jesus throughout their lives, inspire us to call upon him in joy and in need. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Hear the prayers of your people, glorious God, for the sake of the one who took on our nature and form to redeem the whole world, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

Offering Prayer
God with us:
You came as a baby to a manger.
You slept on straw and greeted shepherds.
You come again in bread and wine.
Remind us how good you are at blessing ordinary things.
And then, through these gifts,
help us to bless the lives of others
in the strength of your holy name.
Amen.

Invitation to Communion
Joy to the world! The Lord is come.
Let every heart receive your Savior.

Prayer after Communion
On this day, O God, you gave us
Christ the Son to save us.
As you sent the one foretold,
send us now with good news for all people.
Let the gladness of this feast have no end
as we share with others the joy that fills us;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

Blessing
May Christ, who by his incarnation
has filled us with grace and truth,
give you peace this Christmas and always.
Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless you now and forever.
Amen.

Dismissal
Glory to God in the highest!
Peace to God's people on earth!
Go in peace. Share the gift of Jesus.
Thanks be to God.

Reprinted from Words for Worship, copyright 2016 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Scripture quotations (except psalms) from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved. Used by permission.