“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,” the song begins. And it continues describing gifts given through twelve days of Christmas. While many people begin to put away the sights and sounds of Christmas today, for the Christian Church, the celebration is just beginning. The days before Christmas are part of Advent, not the Christmas season. They’ve built up our anticipation of the celebration of our Savior’s nativity, a celebration that lasts for twelve days–from December 25 – January 5, before the Festival of the Epiphany of our Lord on January 6 (or, in some traditions, December 26 – January 6).
During this “Christmastide,” the Christian Church has several appointed minor festivals. They are listed below with their appointed readings from the Christian Worship Hymnal lectionary:
- December 26 – St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr (Jeremiah 26:1-16; Acts 6:8-7:2a,51-60; Matthew 23:34-39)
- December 27 – St. John, Apostle and Evangelist (Revelation 1:9-19; 1 John 1:1-2:2; John 21:20-25)
- December 28 – Holy Innocents (Jeremiah 31:15-17; 1 Peter 4:12-19; Matthew 2:13-18)
- January 1 – Circumcision and Name of Jesus (Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 2:21)
I have found it edifying to meditate on these texts and consider the way in which these saints or events bring glory to our Savior, whose birth we celebrate this season. Perhaps you might find blessing in doing the same.
This week, our world also marks the ending of one year and the beginning of another. We are reminded that, as time passes and things change, our Lord remains the same and is ever faithful to his people and his promises. May you be blessed as you begin a new year in the Lord.
Here are the readings and hymns planned for use at Riverview Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI, on New Year’s Eve, Friday, December 31:
- Readings: Ecclesiastes 12:1-7; 1 Peter 1:22-25; Luke 13:6-9
- Hymns: Across the Sky the Shades of Night (CW 367); O God, Our Help in Ages Past (CW 820); As Angels Joyed with One Accord (CW 320); Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (CW 672); Let Us All with Gladsome Voice (CW 332)
May God bless your growth in faith, as you meditate on his Word this week!
Your brother in Christ,
Pastor Wagner
Together in the Word 