
You might think you know the story of Christmas from the Bible, with shepherds and angels, and Mary and Joseph, with wise men and a baby in a manger. But do you know the WHOLE story? Do you know about John the Baptist’s dad, Zechariah, and how he didn’t get to talk for the whole nine months before his son’s birth? Did you know about Mary’s questions for Gabriel, and her part in agreeing to God’s plan? Did you know that Simeon and Anna waited their whole long lives for Jesus, and were almost as excited as the shepherds to meet him? This lectionary introduces a deep dive into the WHOLE story of the birth of Jesus, from beginning to end. It begins on Christ the King Sunday and ends sometime toward the end of January. It is a lot longer than the typical Advent and Christmas season, but, over time, helps people of faith to really soak in the whole story and how the story we know connects the the wider story which includes people of all generations, genders, and socio-economic statuses. It is truly a story for all of us.
Here are the readings for each Sunday. There also also companion resources, including a Please-Touch Nativity and daily devotion book hosted on our sister site, Family God Time (see below). May these resources be a blessing to you!
Jesus’ Birth A to Z Lectionary
Christ the King 11/20/22
OT Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Ps Psalm 100
NT Ephesians 1:15-23
Gos Luke 1:46-56 Mary’s Song
Advent 1 11/27/22
OT Gen 18:1-15 Abraham & Sarah
Ps 40:1-8 You have given me an open ear
NT Hebrews 11:8-16 Faith of Abraham
Gos Luke 1:5-25 Zechariah’s vision
Advent 2 12/4/22
OT Isaiah 11:1-10 Shoot stump Jesse
Ps Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
NT Romans 16:25-27
Gos Luke 1:26-38 Mary’s vision
Advent 3 12/11/22
OT Micah 5:2-5a
Ps Psalm 80:1-7
NT Hebrews 10:5-10
Gos Luke 1:39-45, 57-66 Birth of John
Advent 4 12/18/22
OT Isaiah 7:10-16
Ps Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
NT Romans 1:1-7
Gos Matthew 1:18-25 Joseph’s vision
Christmas Eve/Day 12/24/22 – 12/25/22
OT Isaiah 9:2-7
Ps Psalm 96
NT Titus 2:11-14
Gos Luke 2:1-20 Birth of Jesus
John 1:1-14 Word made flesh
Christmas I 1/1/23
OT Isaiah 2:1-5
Ps Psalm 122:1-9
NT Romans 13:11-14
Gos Luke 2:21-38 Simeon & Anna
Epiphany of Our Lord 1/8/23
OT Isaiah 60:1-6
Ps Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
NT Ephesians 3:1-12
Gos Matthew 2:1-12 Wise Men
Epiphany 2 1/15/23
OT Isaiah 63:7-9
Ps Psalm 148
NT Hebrews 2:10-18
Gos Matthew 2:13-18 Slaughter of Innocents
Baptism of Our Lord 1/22/23
OT Isaiah 42:1-9
Ps Psalm 29
NT Acts 10:34-43
Gos Matthew 3:13-17 Baptism of Jesus
Companion Pieces
Jesus’ Birth A to Z Daily Devotion Book: https://familygodtime.wordpress.com/2022/10/19/jesus-birth-a-to-z-devotion-book/
Please Touch Nativity Project: https://familygodtime.wordpress.com/2022/10/19/please-touch-nativity-project/
A to Z Nativity Set: https://familygodtime.wordpress.com/2018/12/19/a-to-z-nativity-set-christmas-2018/