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CHRISTMAS
To you is born this day a Saviour.
MIDNIGHT MASS
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
Let us rejoice in the Lord, for one saviour is born to the world. True peace has descended from heaven.
PENITENTIAL RITE
"God so loved the world that he sent his only Son to save the world." This is what we celebrate at Christmas: God’s loving gift to us. It is the simple shepherds who welcomed him while the learned and the powerful had no time for him. Let us humble ourselves so that Jesus can be born in our hearts. (Pause.)
I confess to almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault (all strike their breast) in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do; and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
Glory to God in the highest,/and peace to his people on earth./Lord God, heavenly King,/almighty God and Father,/we worship you,/we give you thanks,/we praise you for your glory./Lord, Jesus Christ,/only Son of the Father,/Lord God, Lamb of God,/you take away the sin of the world:/have mercy on us;/you are seated at the right hand of the Father,/receive our prayer./For you alone are the Holy One,/you alone are the Lord,/you alone are the Most High,/Jesus Christ,/with the Holy Spirit,/ in the glory of God the Father./Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
Father, you make this holy night radiant with the splendour of Jesus Christ our light. We welcome him as Lord, the true light of the world. Bring us to eternal joy in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
FIRST READING
(A prince is coming, bringing with him light, joy and peace.)
A reading from the book of Isaiah
(9:2-4, 6-7)
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased its joy; they rejoice before thee as with joy at the harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as on the day of Midian. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for ever more. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
This is the Word of the Lord
PSALM (95)
Response: Today a Saviour has been born to us who is Christ the Lord.
O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth. O sing to the Lord, bless his name. R.
Proclaim his help day by day, tell among the nations his glory and his wonders among all the peoples. R.
Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad, let the sea and all within it thunder praise, let the land and all it bears rejoice, all the trees of the wood shout for joy at the presence of the Lord for he comes, he comes to rule the earth.
R.
With justice he will rule the world, he will judge the peoples with his truth.
R.
SECOND READING
(Jesus comes to prepare a people for upright living and for every good action.)
A reading from the letter of
St Paul to Titus (2:11-14)
The grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
This is the Word of the Lord
ACCLAMATION (Lk 2:10-11)
Alleluia, alleluia! I bring you good news of a great joy. Today a saviour has been born to us, Christ the Lord. Alleluia!
GOSPEL
(Jesus is born in Bethlehem and the angels announce it as an event of great joy.)
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Luke (2:1-14)
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrolment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased."
This is the Gospel of the Lord
I believe in God,/the Father Almighty,/ Creator of heaven and earth./I believe in Jesus Christ,/his only Son, our Lord./He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit/and born of the Virgin Mary./He suffered under Pontius Pilate,/was crucified, died, and was buried./He descended to the dead./On the third day he rose again./He ascended into Heaven,/and is seated at the right hand of the Father./He will come again to judge the living and the dead./I believe in the Holy Spirit,/the Holy Catholic Church,/the communion of saints,/the forgiveness of sins,/the resurrection of the body,/and the life everlasting./Amen.
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Cel: Dear brothers and sisters, the shepherds in all simplicity came and worshipped Baby Jesus. Let us too adore him and place before him all our needs and desires saying: Jesus, our Saviour, hear us.
1. Enlighten the Pope, bishops and all leaders in the Church that they effectively lead the flock to Jesus the Good Shepherd. R.
2. On this day of Jesus, the prince of peace, we pray for peace among people, especially those who are at enmity with each other. R.
3. We pray for those who do not know Jesus, those who are hostile or indifferent to him. Father of all, touch and turn their hearts to Jesus. R.
4. On your birthday Jesus, we pray for all the abandoned and aborted babies.
R.
(Pause to pray for other intentions.)
Cel: Loving Father, we thank you for keeping your promise and for sending Jesus as our Saviour. Help us to promote peace and goodwill in the world he came to save. We ask this…
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord, accept our gifts on this joyful feast of our salvation. By our communion with God made man, may we become more like him who joins our lives to yours, for he is Lord for ever and ever.
PREFACE (P 5)
Cel: Father, all powerful and ever living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord .
Today in him a new light has dawned upon the world: God has become one with man, and man has become one again with God.
Your eternal Word has taken upon himself our human weakness giving our mortal nature immortal value. So marvellous is this oneness between God and man that in Christ man restores to man the gift of everlasting life.
In our joy we sing to your glory with all the choirs of angels:
COMMUNION ANTIPHON
The Word of God became man; we have seen his glory.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
God our Father, we rejoice in the birth of our Saviour. May we share his life completely by living as he has taught. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
DAWN MASS
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
A light will shine on us this day, the Lord is born for us: he shall be called Wonderful God, Prince of Peace, Father of the world to come; and his kingship will never end.
PENITENTIAL RITE (see page 9)
I confess...
Glory to God... (see page 9)
OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray. Father, we are filled with the new light by the coming of your Word among us. May the light of faith shine in our words and actions. We make this prayer....
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of Isaiah
(62:11-12)
(The Lord brings reward for his people and he will rebuild their city.)
Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, "Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him." And they shall be called The Holy People, The redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called Sought out, a city not forsaken.
This is the Word of the Lord
PSALM (96)
Response: This day a new light will shine upon the earth: the Lord is born to us.
The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, the many coastlands be glad. The skies proclaim his justice; all peoples see his glory. R.
Light shines forth for the just and joy for the upright of heart. Rejoice, you just, in the Lord; give glory to his holy name. R.
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of
St Paul to Titus (3:4-7)
(Out of his merciful love God saved us and made us heirs of heaven.)
When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
This is the Word of the Lord
ACCLAMATION (Lk 2:14)
Alleluia, alleluia! Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased! Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Luke (2:15-20)
(The shepherds went, saw and worshipped the Divine Babe.)
When the angels went away from the shepherds into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
This is the Gospel of the Lord
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Father, may we follow the example of your Son who became man and lived among us. May we receive the gift of divine life through these offerings here on earth. We ask this…
PREFACE (P 5)
COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Daughter of Zion, exult; shout aloud, daughter of Jerusalem! Your King is coming, the Holy One, the Saviour of the world.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Lord, with faith and joy we celebrate the birthday of your Son. Increase our understanding and our love of the riches you have revealed in him, who is Lord for ever and ever.
DAY MASS
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
A child is born for us, a son given to us; dominion is laid on his shoulder, and he shall be called Wonderful-Counsellor.
PENITENTIAL RITE
I confess....
Glory to God...
OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray. Lord God, we praise you for creating man, and still more for restoring him in Christ. Your Son shared our weakness: may we share his glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
FIRST READING
(The messengers announce peace and good news of happiness and salvation.)
A reading from the book of Isaiah (52:7-10)
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." Hark, your watchmen lift up their voice, together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
This is the Word of the Lord
PSALM (97)
Response: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation.
R.
The Lord has made known his salvation; has shown his justice to the nations. He has remembered his truth and love for the house of Israel. R.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord all the earth, ring out your joy. R.
Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp, with the sound of music. With trumpets and the sound of the horn acclaim the King, the Lord. R.
SECOND READING
(God’s revelation in his Son is definitive and constitutive.)
A reading from the letter to the Hebrews (1:1-6)
In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature, upholding the universe by his word of power. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has obtained is more excellent than theirs. For to what angel did God ever say, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"? Or again, "I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son"? And again, when he brings the first-born into the world, he says, "Let all God’s angels worship him."
This is the Word of the Lord
ACCLAMATION
Alleluia, alleluia! A hallowed day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, worship the Lord, for today a great light has shone down upon the earth. Alleluia!
GOSPEL
(The Babe in the crib was one with God and is the source of light and grace.)
The beginning of the Holy Gospel according to St John (1:1-18)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.
The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.
We have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John bore witness to him, and cried, "This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me’.") And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.
This is the Gospel of the Lord
I believe...
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Almighty God, the saving work of Christ made our peace with you. May our offering today renew that peace within us and give you perfect praise. We ask this…
PREFACE (P 5)
COMMUNION ANTIPHON
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Father, the child born today is the Saviour of the world. He made us your children. May he welcome us into your kingdom where he lives and reigns with you for ever and ever.
LITURGY AND LIFE
At Christmas we celebrate the God of small things. The immense and infinite God, the God whom the universe cannot contain made himself small, a tiny Babe, confined to the womb of a teenage girl, cradled in her arms, sleeping in her warm lap, sheltered in a stranger’s stable. He as well as everything about him is small, little. Nothing outstanding or extraordinary that without a guide, one can easily miss him.
Later on he would invite little children and bless them and make them models of those who enter the kingdom of God. His criterion for greatness is smallness. The one who wants to be the greatest, the first should be the smallest, the least, the servant of all. He declared: "I came to serve, not to be served."
* * *
The Cave of Humility
Exiled from the earth, our Lord is born under the earth, for the stable was a cave. He was the first caveman of recorded history, and there he shook the earth to its very foundations. Because he’s born in a cave, all who wish to see him must bend, must stoop, and the stoop is the mark of humility. The proud refuse to stoop. Therefore they miss divinity. Those, however, who are willing to risk bending their egos to go into the cave, find that they are not in a cave at all; but they are in a universe where sits a babe on his mother’s lap, the babe who made the world.
– Fulton J. Sheen
Wish all our dear patrons
A VERY JOYFUL CHRISTMAS
May the Babe of Bethlehem
bless you and your dear ones
at this Christmas!
