Saturday 25 December, 2021

Christmas Day 

Any of the following sets of readings may be used on the evening of Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day. Set 3 should be used at some service during the celebration of Christmas. Scroll down page to see all sets of readings and suggested hymns.

Hymns marked with an asterisk (*) are suggested for more than one reading

[As with other suggestions for Christmas this year, very well-known carols are omitted, allowing space for a wider range of choice. Also see Thirty second Christmas, and our new resource for planning a Blue Christmas service.] 

Lighting of Advent candles (using verses as appropriate)

Advent candles tell their story (StF 165)
'Christmas is coming!' The Church is glad to sing (StF 166)
Light a candle in a darkened place (StF 174)
Like a candle flame, flickering small in our darkness (StF 176)
The days are surely coming (website only) – especially suitable as we enter Year C of the Lectionary

General

Amen Siakudumisa ("Amen! Praise the name of the Lord") (StF 770)
Carol of Peace (website only)
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! (StF 330)
*O come, all ye faithful (StF 212)
Once in royal David’s city (StF 214)
*See him lying on a bed of straw (StF 216)
*Who would think that what was needed (StF 222)

Set 1

Isaiah 9: 2-7

Born in the night, Mary's child (StF 193)
Darkness like a shroud covers the earth (StF 170)
Glory be to God on high (StF 199) esp. v.4
Hark! The herald-angels sing (StF 202) esp. v.3
I cannot tell why he, whom angels worship (StF 350)
It came upon the midnight clear (StF 205)
Light of the world, you stepped down into darkness (StF 175)
O little town of Bethlehem (StF 213)

Psalm 96

Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme

Good news, good news to you we bring (StF 201)
Here is the wonder, glory of new life (website only)
It was on a starry night (StF 206)
Let all the world in every corner sing (StF 57)
Night of peace: Hail the holy child (StF 211)

Titus 2: 11-14

And I will wait now (website only)
Jesus comes with all his grace (StF 326)
*Who would think that what was needed (StF 222)

Luke 2: 1-14 (15-20) Also see hymns for Luke reading, Set 2 below

Christian awake , salute the happy morn (StF 195)
God is born among us: earth receives the Christ child (StF 200)
Heaven's come so close tonight (website only)
*Let my Saviour sleep (website only)
Night of peace: hail the holy child (StF 211)
*See him lying on a bed of straw (StF 216)
Silent night, holy night (StF 217)
When a young unmarried couple (StF 220)

Set 2

Isaiah 62: 6-12

Glory be to God on high (StF 199)
Sing praise to God who reigns above (StF 117)
We sing your glory, we praise you again (StF 96)

Psalm 97

Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme

Angels, from the realms of glory (StF 190)
*Praise to God, who clears the way (StF 183)
See amid the winter's snow (StF 215)

Titus 3: 4-7

Beneath the paper wrappings, there's an open stable door (StF 192)
Everyone needs compassion, love that's never failing (StF 627)
Love came down at Christmas (StF 210)
Stupendous height of heavenly love (StF 512)

Luke 2: (1-7) 8-20 Also see hymns for Luke reading, Set 1 above

Glory to God, glory to God (StF 752) Taizé version

Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest (StF 753) Peruvian chant
Hark! The herald-angels sing (StF 202)
How hard was that journey (website)
I had a dream that I was standing on a hillside (StF 203)
It came upon a midnight clear (StF 205)
See, amid the winter’s snow (StF 215)
We gladly celebrate and praise (StF 120)
We see the eyes of Mary shine (StF 219)
While shepherds watched their flocks by night (StF 221)

Set 3

Isaiah 52: 7-10

*Let my Saviour sleep (website only)
*Praise to God, who clears the way (StF 183)
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! (StF 186)
There’s a light upon the mountains (StF 188)

Psalm 98

Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme

Birth brings a promise (StF 226)
*Joy to the world, the Lord is come! (StF 330)
You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace (StF 487)

Hebrews 1: 1-4 (5-12)

Christ triumphant, ever reigning (StF 319)
Glory be to God on high (StF 199)
*God has spoken - by his prophets (StF 157)
Long ago, prophets knew Christ would come (StF 178)

This month’s compiler, Elizabeth Hall, also strongly recommends Frederic Myers’ "Hark what a sound, and too divine for hearing", found at Hymns and Psalms 236 set to R.R. Terry’s fine tune, "Highwood" (also used at StF 3 & 720).

John 1: 1-14

As the glory of creation (StF 725)
Emmanuel, Emmanuel (StF 198)
Before the world began, one Word was there (StF 101)
*God has spoken - by his prophets (StF 157)
Love came down at Christmas (StF 210)
*O come, all ye faithful (StF 212) esp. v.6
*Praise to God, who clears the way (StF 183)
The silent stars shine down on us (StF 231) esp. v.2