DECEMBER 25: CHRISTMAS MASS AT DAWN PRAYERS AND READINGS.
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
Lux fulgébit hódie super nos, quia natus est nobis Dóminus; et vocábitur admirábilis, Deus, Princeps pacis, Pater futúri saéculi: cuius regni non erit finis.
Today a light will shine upon us, for the Lord is born for us; and he will be called Wondrous God, Prince of peace, Father of future ages: his reign will be without end.
[–» Greeting]
The Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest) is said.
COLLECT
Grant, we pray,-almighty God, that, as we are bathed in the new radiance of your incarnate Word, the light of faith which illumines our minds may also shine through in our deeds. Through our Lord.
READING I
Isaiah 62:11–12
See, the Lord proclaims to the ends of the earth: say to daughter Zion, your savior comes! Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. They shall be called the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord, and you shall be called “Frequented,” a city that is not forsaken.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.
Lux fulgébit hódie super nos: quia natus est nobis Dóminus.
The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
R.
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the Lord, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name.
R.
READING II
Letter of St. Paul to Titus 3:4–7
Beloved: When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
ALLELUIA
Glory to God in heaven, peace and grace to his people on earth.
Glória in altíssimis Deo, et in terra pax homínibus bonæ voluntátis.
GOSPEL
Luke 2:15–20
When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another,“Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
The Creed is said.
PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS
May our offerings be worthy, we pray, O Lord, of the mysteries of the Nativity this day, that, just as Christ was born a man yet also shone forth as God, so may these earthly gifts confer on us what is divine. Through Christ our Lord.
[–» Eucharistic Prayer]
[–» Preface of the Nativity]
COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Exsúlta, fília Sion, lauda, fília Ierúsalem: ecce Rex tuus veniet sanctus et salvátor mundi.
Rejoice, O Daughter Zion; lift up praise, Daughter Jerusalem: Behold, your lZing will come, the Holy One and Savior of the world.
[–» Communion]
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Grant us, Lord, as we honor with joyful devotion the Nativity of your Son, that we may come to know with fullness of faith, the hidden depths of this mystery and to love them ever more and more. Through Christ our Lord.
[–» Concluding Rite]