25 dec dawn

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 for 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

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./

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.

Alleluia, alleluia! I bring you good news of a great joy. Today a Saviour has been
born to us, who is Christ the Lord. Alleluia! (Lk 2:10-11)

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.�
: Father, help us to live as Your children.
1. We pray for our Pope, Bishops, Priests and Religious: that the light of truth
and hope may shine through all they say and do, and that the Lord may grant them
the grace to be faithful to their call to love and serve. R./
2. We pray for all those who live in the darkness of sin: that they may experience
the power of your saving love to break the bondage of sin and come to the true
light of Christ. R./
3. We pray for people all over the world: that all may recognize Jesus as the
Saviour of humankind and enjoy the gift of freedom as children of God. R./
4. We pray, on this holy night, that the Lord may grant His grace to the people of
all nations to live in love, peace and unity as children of one God and Father. R./

5. We pray for all of us gathered in this holy assembly: that the Lord�s love,
peace and joy may fill our hearts, and enable us to share what we are and what we
have with the poor and the less privileged brothers and sisters. R./

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Dec 25 morning

A reading from the Book of Isaiah (62:11-12)

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.

The Word of the Lord

PSALM (97)
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
(St Paul tells Titus that God has saved us, not because of any righteous acts we
have done but solely because of His mercy.)
A reading from the Letter of St Paul to Titus (3:4-7)
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.

Alleluia, alleluia! Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with
whom he is pleased! Alleluia

GOSPEL
(We hear about the birth of Jesus, and how the news of his birth was brought by
angels to shepherds, and in obedience they go to Bethlehem and thus become Jesus�
first visitors.)
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Luke (2:15-20)
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.

Response: Father, we praise and thank you for the gift of Your Son Jesus.
1. We pray for the Pope, bishops, priests and all the Christian leaders: that the
Lord may grant them the wisdom to guide the people in the way of peace and joy. R./
2. We pray for peace and harmony among all nations, races and reli-gions: that
everyone may follow the path of justice and righteousness, and that your saving
love may help all people to overcome hatred and violence. R./
3. We pray for the victims of hatred and violence, injustice and oppression; we
pray for refugees, bonded-labourers and prisoners: that they may experience at this
Christmas the liberating love of Jesus the Saviour. R./
4. We pray for the elderly, the sick, the orphans and those in sorrow: that the
Lord may be ever close to them, and they may find solace in their faith in Jesus.
R./
5. We pray for all of us gathered here: that we may have the courage and generosity
to share with others the gift of love you give us at Christmas. R./
(Pause to pray for personal and community needs)
Cel: God our loving Father, by giving us Jesus Your Son, You show us how deeply You
love us. Teach us to appreciate Your wondrous love to-wards us and make us also
messen-gers of Your love in our troubled world. We ask this�

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25 dec day mass

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 good, who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, �Your God reigns.� Hark, your watch-men 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.
The Word of the Lord

PSALM (98)
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
(The author of Hebrews gives the prophetic background of the marvellous event we
are celebrating: �in these last days He has spoken to us by a Son�.)
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.�
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 prologue of John�s Gospel is a great hymn to the Word of God, the source of
all life, whose coming among us makes us children of God. This text brings out the
fullest meaning of what the Feast of Christmas reveals.)
The beginning of the Holy Gospel according to St John (1:1-5,9-14)
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.
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.