Liturgy for the Second Sunday after Christmas Day
Introduction
The Second Sunday after Christmas Day invites the church to linger in the mystery of the Incarnation. While the world begins to move on, Scripture draws us deeper into praise, remembrance, and wonder. These readings speak of God’s faithfulness across generations, the gathering of the scattered, and the Word who was with God and is God, now dwelling among us.
This liturgy is shaped by the Revised Common Lectionary texts for the Second Sunday after Christmas and is suitable for congregational worship, quiet reflection, or the final days of Christmastide.
Call to Worship
One: Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion.
All: For the Word has come to dwell among us, full of grace and truth.
One: God strengthens the bars of our gates and blesses the children within our walls.
All: God gathers the scattered and fills the hungry with good things.
One: Come, let us worship the God who has spoken light into the world.
All: Let us praise the Lord!
(Inspired by Psalm 147 and John 1)
Opening Prayer
Faithful God,
In these days after Christmas, when the noise has faded, and the lights begin to dim, draw us again into the heart of the mystery. You have spoken your Word into the world, and your Word has not returned empty. Open our mouths in praise, our hearts in trust, and our lives in response, that we may bear witness to the light that shines in the darkness. Through Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, Amen.
Prayer of Confession
God of light and mercy,
You have come to dwell among us, yet we confess that we do not always receive you. We turn from your truth, resist your grace, and settle for shadows when you offer us life. Forgive us for our closed hearts and distracted lives. Renew us by your Spirit, that we may live as children of light, shaped by your love and faithful to your call. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news: “From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:16)
In Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, we are forgiven, renewed, and set free.
Thanks be to God!
Prayer for Illumination
Holy God,
Your Word is living and active. As we hear the Scriptures read and proclaimed, send your Spirit among us. Give us ears to hear, minds to understand, and hearts ready to receive the grace you reveal in Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Scripture Readings
Jeremiah 31:7–14 or Sirach 24:1–12
Psalm 147:12–20 or Wisdom of Solomon 10:15–21
Ephesians 1:3–14
John 1:(1–9), 10–18
Prayers of the People
God of all creation,
We give you thanks for your Word that became flesh and lived among us. We pray for your church, gathered across the world, that it may proclaim Christ with faithfulness and humility. We pray for those who are weary, grieving, or displaced, that they may know the comfort promised in your covenant love. We pray for leaders and nations, that wisdom and justice may guide their work. Gather the scattered, heal the broken, and draw all people into the life you offer through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Closing Prayer
Eternal God,
You have blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing. As we go from this place, keep us rooted in your grace and attentive to your light. May our lives reflect the glory we have seen in your Son, the Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
