Commemoration Of Events In The Life Of Christ

The Christian calendar is designed to focus our attention on the life of Christ. Thus, the most significant of the minor commemorations of the church are those that recall events in the life of Christ not already mentioned in earlier chapters of this volume. Some churches schedule separate services for these days; others include the events as part of their customary Sunday worship. Prayers not identified in this article are from the Lutheran Book of Worship.

Name of Jesus. This observance recalls Jesus' circumcision and naming as recorded in Luke 2:21. It is observed on January 1. Suggested readings include Numbers 6:22–27; Psalm 67; Galatians 4:4–7 or Philippians 2:9–13; and Luke 2:15–21. The following prayer is based on the theme of this observance: Eternal Father, you gave your Son the name of Jesus to be a sign of our salvation. Plant in every heart the love of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. The Presentation of Christ. This observance recalls the presentation of Jesus in the temple. It is celebrated on the fortieth day after Christmas, February 2. Suggested readings are Malachi 3:1–4; Psalm 84 or Psalm 24:7–10; Hebrews 2:14–18; and Luke 2:22–40. Especially significant in the readings are the role of Simeon and Anna. All observances should include the singing of the Nunc Dimittis, the Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29–32). The images of this canticle are included in this prayer:

Blessed are you, O Lord, our God, for you have sent us your salvation. Inspire us by your Holy Spirit to see with our own eyes him who is the glory of Israel and the light for all nations, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

The Annunciation. The angel's announcement to Mary regarding the birth of Jesus is observed on March 25, nine months before Christmas. The lectionary readings are Isaiah 7:10–14; Psalm 45 or 40:6–10; Hebrews 10:4–10; and Luke 1:26–38. Worship on this day should include the singing of the Magnificat, the Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55). The following is an appropriate prayer for this observance:

Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we, who have known the incarnation of your Son, Jesus Christ, announced by an angel, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Visitation. This observance, celebrated on May 31, recalls the visit of Mary to Elizabeth. Suggested readings are 1 Samuel 2:1–10; Psalm 113; Romans 12:9–16b; and Luke 1:39–57. Worship on this day should include the singing of the Magnificat, the Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55). This images of this canticle are reflected in the following prayer:

Almighty God, in choosing the Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son, you made known your gracious regard for the poor and the lowly and the despised. Grant us grace to receive your Word in humility and so to be made one with your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Feast of the Transfiguration. In some traditions the Feast of Transfiguration is on the closest Sunday to August 6. Many churches now, however, celebrate the Transfiguration on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.

The Feast of the Transfiguration reenacts the experience of Peter, James, and John on Mount Tabor. Since the Transfiguration took place, according to tradition, forty days before Jesus' crucifixion, the date of August 6 is fixed by the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross, which is celebrated on September 14. The Transfiguration has always been a major feast in the East. Christians of this tradition have placed great emphasis on the words in 2 Peter 1:4: "That we might become partakers of the divine nature." In the Transfiguration, Jesus shows the glory that is his with the Father, a glory that he shares with humanity by virtue of the Incarnation and the conquest of the powers of evil over human flesh. In the Eastern tradition, the Kata Basis (litany) of the cross was sung every Sunday from the Transfiguration to the Triumph of the Cross (August 6–September 13) as a way of especially celebrating the cross—the instrument that revealed Christ as Savior. Lectionary texts for this day include Exodus 34:29–35; 2 Peter 1:13–21; Luke 9:28–36; and Psalm 99. Appropriate hymns for this day include "O Word of God Incarnate," "The God of Abraham Praise," and "The Majesty and Glory of Your Name." The litany and prayer for Transfiguration that follow can be used whenever this feast is celebrated, whether in the season after Pentecost or just before Ash Wednesday.

Leader: O Christ, before your crucifixion, Mount Tabor became like the heavens, a great cloud was spread over it like a canopy, and there you were transfigured, so that your glory with the Father became manifest. There Peter, James, and John, who were with you at your betrayal, saw the marvels of your divinity. People: Make us worthy to adore you for the sake of your great mercy. Leader: O Christ, before your crucifixion, you took your disciples onto a high mountain, and there you were transfigured before them. You dazzled them with the rays of your glory; you showed them the glory of your resurrection. People: Do the same for us, O God, for you are full of mercy and love. Leader: O Christ, the old mountain which was gloomy and smoking is now honorable, for your feet have stood upon it. There the splendor of your countenance and the radiance of your garments so dazzled Peter, James, and John that they fell with their faces to the earth and covered them. And they were amazed when they saw Moses and Elijah talking to you and when they heard the voice saying, "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." People: Come to us, Lord, and be present in all your glory. Leader: O Christ, when you were transfigured on the mount, you became gloriously radiant and showed forth the virtues of your divine nature, and so, O Christ, Peter, James, and John magnified you, the devils trembled, and hell shook in fear to see the glory that was yours with the Father. People: For the heavens is yours and the earth and the seas also. Leader: O Christ, come, shine in our midst and give us the light of your glory. People: Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen. (Adapted from Eastern sources) A Transfiguration Prayer O Lord, you prefigured your resurrection when you took three of your disciples, Peter, James, and John, and ascended Mount Tabor, and when you were transfigured, O Savior, Mount Tabor was covered with light, and your disciples, O Lord, threw themselves down upon the earth, unable to bear the sight which may not be looked upon. Angels ministered with fear and trembling, the heavens were filled with fear, and the earth shook when they saw the Lord of glory on earth. O Christ God, let your light illumine us as we, with the heavens and the earth, magnify you, the very light of the Father and the giver of light to the world. Amen. (Adapted from Eastern sources.)