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/