Degree of ceremony: Respect

Liturgical color: White

Entrance chant

The Lord said to me: “You are my Son, today I have begotten you.”

Or:         

Let us all rejoice in the Lord, for our Savior has been born into the world. Today true peace comes to us from heaven.

Introduction to the Mass

Dear brothers and sisters! Tonight is the “most holy night”, the whole universe, from east to west, solemnly celebrates the historical event: the birth of the Savior in the silence of a winter night. Let the whole earth turn to this unique night. Let all creation speak! Let it speak in human language. Together with humanity, the angel of God speaks “Glory to God in the highest”. The angel said to the shepherds of Bethlehem “I bring you good news of great joy”. Humanity and the angel of God speak of the same reality and point to the same place: the Lord was born in Bethlehem. In a spirit filled with joy in celebrating the Holy Mystery, let us sincerely repent.

Collect

Lord, you sent your only Son, the true light, to illuminate the world, making this most holy night shine brightly. May we here on earth be enlightened by the mystery of Christmas, and in the future also enjoy the glory of your only Son in heaven. He is God who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever.

First Reading : Is 9:2-4. 6-7 (Heb 1-3. 5-6)

“God gave us his Son.”

From the book of the prophet Isaiah.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have made the people great; will you not make their joy great? They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at harvest, as conquerors rejoice over spoil when they divide the spoil. For the yoke that was on them, the yoke that was on their shoulders, the scepter of their oppressors, you will break in pieces, as on the day of Midian. For every trampling shoe of the conqueror, every garment stained with blood, will be burned and become fuel for the fire.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The kingdom is upon his shoulders, and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Majestic God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His kingdom will extend, and there will be no end to it. He will sit on the throne of David and establish his kingdom, establishing it and upholding it with justice and righteousness, both now and forevermore. The jealousy of the Lord of heaven will accomplish this.

That is the word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm : Ps 95: 1-2a. 2b-3. 11-12. 13

Response: Today a Savior has been born to us; he is Christ the Lord.

Chant: Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless his name.

Chant: Proclaim his salvation day by day. Declare the glory of the Lord among the nations, and his wonders among all the nations.

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad. Let the seas sing and all that is in them. Let the fields be glad and all that is in them. Let the trees of the forest be glad and rejoice.

Chant: Before the presence of God: for he comes, for he comes to rule the earth. He will rule the earth with justice and the peoples with faithfulness.

Second Reading : Titus 2:11-14

“The grace of God has come to everyone.”

Excerpt from the letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to Titus.

The grace of God our Savior has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly lives in this present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people worthy of himself, zealous of good works.

That is the word of the Lord.

Alleluia : Luke 2:10-11

Alleluia, alleluia! – I bring you good news: Today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, has been born to us. – Alleluia.

Gospel : Luke 2, 1-14

“Today a Savior is born to us.”

The Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke.

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken throughout the land. This was the first census, which took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone set out for his own town. Joseph also left Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to go to David’s town, which was called Bethlehem, because he was of the royal house and lineage of David, to be registered with him, along with Mary his wife, who was pregnant.

While they were there, the time came for her to be delivered, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were shepherds in that region out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to people of good will.”

That is the word of the Lord.

When reciting the Creed, at the phrase : ” By the power of the Holy Spirit ,” genuflect.

Prayer of the Faithful

Celebrant: Dear brothers and sisters! Christmas is good news for all people. Because He comes to bring peace to souls, peace to the world. So let us contribute to building peace with these prayers:

1. “ On those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned .”- May the Pope, Bishops, and Priests be guided by the divine light of God, so that they may enthusiastically preach the Good News of the Son of God who was incarnate and born to the ends of the earth.

2. “Purified us into a people of zeal and good works .”- May the faithful, while living the joy of Christmas, be faithful to grace and actively live a life of perfect charity, so that they may become angels who proclaim the message of God’s love.

3. “Peace on earth to men of good will. ” May those who are tempted to deceive God and each other in every way realize that God’s presence is only in righteous souls, so that tonight the Child Jesus will be worthy to bring peace to their souls and to the whole world.

4. “She wrapped the baby in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger.” May everyone in our parish know how to place the Baby Jesus in their hearts to contemplate, to know how to live in trust in God’s love.

Celebrant : O Child Jesus, you stripped yourself of your divine status to become one of us. May we always respond to your love by denying ourselves of all base desires, so that our souls may become warm and soft beds for you to reign. You live and reign forever and ever.

Prayer over the offerings

Lord, accept the gifts we offer this Christmas night. And through the wonderful exchange of the Incarnation, may we be conformed to Jesus, who in his own person united our humanity with your divinity. He lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Christmas Preface

Communion song

The Word became flesh, and we saw his glory.

Prayer after communion

Lord, our community has just joyfully celebrated the Birthday of the Savior of the world; please help us to witness with our present lives that He has come, so that we may share in His glory in the future. He lives and reigns forever and ever.

Reflection