The Twelve Days of Christmas 2008

The Twelve Days of Christmas are somewhat difficult to standardize, because of the several feasts that occur during this time, the fluctuation of these days in relation to Sundays and the other days of the week, and the differences in the established lectionaries. For all of these reasons, there needs to be a certain flexibility from one year to the next, in order to accommodate the various considerations that come into play. For the past several years, I have taken into account the lections and propers of the Lutheran Service Book, along with the daily appointments of the Roman and SELK lectionaries, in order to arrive at a plan for these twelve days, each of which we observe at Emmaus with the Divine Service, whether fully festive or briefly spoken. Here is this year's plan (with indication of possible adjustments for those who follow the Historic Lectionary):


The First Day of Christmas (Thursday, 25 December):

The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Day

(Series B):
Isaiah 52:7–10
Psalm 2 (antiphon: v. 7)
Hebrews 1:1–6 (7–12)
John 1:1–14 (15–18)

We praise You, Jesus, at Your birth (LSB 382)

(Historic):
Exodus 40:17–21, 34–38
Psalm 2 (antiphon: v. 7)
Titus 3:4–7
John 1:1–14 (15–18)

We praise You, Jesus, at Your birth (LSB 382)


The Second Day of Christmas (Friday, 26 December):

The Feast of St. Stephen, the First Martyr

2 Chronicles 24:17–22
Psalm 119:137–144 (antiphon: v. 142)
Acts 6:8—7:2a, 51–60
Matthew 23:34–39

The Son of God goes forth to war (LSB 661)


The Third Day of Christmas (Saturday, 27 December):

The Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist

Revelation 1:1–6
Psalm 11 (antiphon: v. 4a)
1 John 1:1—2:2
John 21:20–25

O Word of God incarnate (LSB 523)


The Fourth Day of Christmas (Sunday, 28 December):

The First Sunday after Christmas

(The Feast of the Holy Innocents)

(Series B):
Isaiah 61:10—62:3
Psalm 111 (antiphon: v. 9a, b)
Galatians 4:4–7
Luke 2:22–40

Let all together praise our God (LSB 389)

(Historic):
Isaiah 11:1–5 (or 2 Samuel 7:1–16)
Psalm 89:1–8 (antiphon: v. 8)
Galatians 4:1–7
Luke 2:(22–32) 33–40

Let all together praise our God (LSB 389)


The Fifth Day of Christmas (Monday, 29 December):

(Commemoration of King David)

Psalm 96 (morning)
Psalm 132 (evening)

Isaiah 55:1–7
St. Matthew 1:18–25
(or St. Matthew 2:13–23)

Hail to the Lord’s anointed (LSB 398)
(or, Sweet Flowerets of the Martyr Band; TLH 273; LSB 969)


The Sixth Day of Christmas (Tuesday, 30 December):

Psalm 93 (morning)
Psalm 89:1–18 (evening)

1 John 3:1–10
St. Luke 2:15–20
(or St. Matthew 2:13–23)

Once in royal David’s city (LSB 376)
(or, Sweet Flowerets of the Martyr Band; TLH 273; LSB 969)


The Seventh Day of Christmas (Wednesday, 31 December):

New Year’s Eve

Isaiah 30:(8–14) 15–17
Psalm 90:1–12 (antiphon: v. 17)
Romans 8:31b–39
Luke 12:35–40

Across the Sky the Shades of Night (LSB 899)


The Eighth Day of Christmas (Thursday, 1 January 2009):

The Feast of the Name and Circumcision of Jesus

Numbers 6:22–27
Psalm 8 (antiphon: v. 9)
Galatians 3:23–29
Luke 2:21

The ancient Law departs (LSB 898)


The Ninth Day of Christmas (Friday, 2 January 2009):

(Commemoration of Johannes Konrad Wilhelm Löhe)

Psalm 48 (morning)
Psalm 45 (evening)

Isaiah 62:1–12
St. John 1:19–28

From east to west (LSB 385)
(or, Wide open stand the gates; LSB 639)


The Tenth Day of Christmas (Saturday, 3 January 2009):

Psalm 111 (morning)
Psalm 15 (evening)

Isaiah 63:1–14
St. John 1:29–34

All my heart again rejoices (LSB 360)


The Eleventh Day of Christmas (Sunday, 4 January 2009):

The Second Sunday after Christmas

(Series B):
1 Kings 3:4–15
Psalm 119:97–104 (antiphon: v. 99)
Ephesians 1:3–14
Luke 2:40–52

Within the Father’s house (LSB 410)

(Historic):
Genesis 46:1–7
Psalm 77:11–20 (antiphon: v. 13)
1 Peter 4:12–19
Matthew 2:13–23

From east to west (LSB 385)


The Twelfth Day of Christmas (Monday, 5 January 2009):

Psalm 99 (morning)
Psalm 110 (evening)

Isaiah 65:17–25
St. John 1:35–42

Hark! The herald angels sing (LSB 380)