Vigil Mass (ABC)

ENTRANCE RITE

Entrance Antiphon (Introit)

Today you will know that the Lord will come, and he will save us, and in the morning you will see his glory. (based on Exodus 16:6-7)

Entrance Song

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

My brother and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the mysterier, let us call to mind our sins.

I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore 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.

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

Lord, have mercy,
Lord, have mercy,
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy,
Lord, have mercy,

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you, we bless you,
we adore you, we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory.
Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
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

O God, who gladden us year by year
as we wait in hope for our redemption,
grant that, just as we joyfully welcome
your Only Begotten Son as our Redeemer,
we may also merit to face him confidently
when he comes again as our Judge.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

FIRST READING

A reading from the prophet Isaiah

For the Lord delights in you. (62:1-5)

For Zion’s sake I will not be silent,
        for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
    until her vindication shines forth like the dawn
        and her victory like a burning torch.

    Nations shall behold your vindication,
        and all the kings your glory;
    you shall be called by a new name
        pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.
    You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,
        a royal diadem held by your God.
    No more shall people call you “Forsaken,”
        or your land “Desolate,”
    but you shall be called “My Delight,”
        and your land “Espoused.”
    For the LORD delights in you
        and makes your land his spouse.
    As a young man marries a virgin,
        your Builder shall marry you;
    and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride
        so shall your God rejoice in you.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

( Ps 89:4-5 / 16-17 / 27 / 29 )

Response: For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
   I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
   and establish your throne for all generations.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
   in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
   and through your justice they are exalted.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

He shall say of me, “You are my father,
   my God, the rock, my savior.”
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
   and my covenant with him stands firm.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

SECOND READING

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus. (13:16-17,22-25)

When Paul reached Antioch in Pisidia and entered the synagogue,
he stood up, motioned with his hand, and said, 
“Fellow Israelites and you others who are God-fearing, listen.
The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors 
and exalted the people during their sojourn in the
land of Egypt.
With uplifted arm he led them out of it.
Then he removed Saul and raised up David as king;
of him he testified,
‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.’
From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, 
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance 
to all the people of Israel; 
and as John was completing his course, he would say, 
‘What do you suppose that I am?  I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me; 
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’”

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia, alleluia.
Tomorrow the wickedness of the earth will be destroyed:
the Savior of the world will reign over us.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL

The genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David. (1:1-25)

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

Glory to you, Lord.

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, 
the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham became the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob, 
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,
whose mother was Tamar.
Perez became the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram, 
Ram the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon the father of Boaz,
whose mother was Rahab.
Boaz became the father of Obed,
whose mother was Ruth.
Obed became the father of Jesse,
Jesse the father of David the king.
David became the father of Solomon, 
whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.
Solomon became the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asaph.
Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,
Joram the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah became the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz, 
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amos,
Amos the father of Josiah.
Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers
at the time of the Babylonian exile.
After the Babylonian exile,
Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, 
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.
Abiud became the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
Azor the father of Zadok.
Zadok became the father of Achim,
Achim the father of Eliud, 
Eliud the father of Eleazar.
Eleazar became the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob, 
Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.
Thus the total number of generations
from Abraham to David
is fourteen generations; 
from David to the Babylonian exile,
fourteen generations; 
from the Babylonian exile to the Christ,
fourteen generations. 
Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, 
but before they lived together, 
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, 
yet unwilling to expose her to shame, 
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 
“Joseph, son of David, 
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit 
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, 
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
    Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
        and they shall name him Emmanuel, 
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him 
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son, 
and he named him Jesus.

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

PROFESSION OF FAITH

I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,

(today, at the words that follow up to and including and became man, all kneel down)

and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son
is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism
for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

Our response is: Christ our Lord hear our prayer.

For the Church – that this Christmas will stir in us a great desire to seek love in all things and in all we do. Lord born anew hear our prayer. Christ our Lord hear our prayer.

For nations and peoples who face war, conflict or civil unrest – that there will be peace. Lord born anew hear our prayer. Christ our Lord hear our prayer.

For the whole human family – that as one human family, we grow stronger in awareness that we are connected to and dependent on each other, and that we increase in our desire to seek each other’s well-being and the common good. Lord born anew hear our prayer. Christ our Lord hear our prayer.

For babies  – that they will be loved, nurtured and cared for as they grow, so that their humanity might flourish.Lord born anew hear our prayer. Christ our Lord hear our prayer.

For those who grieve the loss of loved ones  – that the Christmas star will light the way to new peace and new calm. Lord born anew hear our prayer. Christ our Lord hear our prayer.

For refugees – that they will be made welcome. Lord born anew hear our prayer. Christ our Lord hear our prayer.

For each person gathered here – that as Mary and Joseph trusted, we will trust Christ to be a transforming presence in our lives, taking away our hearts of stone, giving us hearts for love alone. Lord born anew hear our prayer. Christ our Lord hear our prayer.

For the planet on which we live  – that people will not be overwhelmed by forecasts of climate change, but rather that we respond energetically to Pope Francis call to act, and engage with the Laudato si Action Platform. Lord born anew hear our prayer. Christ our Lord hear our prayer.  

THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Offertory Song

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS

As we look forward, O Lord,
to the coming festivities,
may we serve you all the more eagerly
for knowing that in them
you make manifest the beginnings of our redemption.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

PREFACE and EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

Preface I of the Nativity of the Lord: 
[Christ the Light]

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
For in the mystery of the Word made flesh
a new light of your glory has shone upon the eyes of our mind,
so that, as we recognize in him God made visible,
we may be caught up through him in love of things invisible.
And so, with Angels and Archangels,
with Thrones and Dominions,
and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven,
we sing the hymn of your glory,
as without end we acclaim:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts…

COMMUNION RITE

Communion Antiphon

The glory of the Lord will be revealed,
and all flesh will see the salvation of our God. (See Isaiah 40:5)

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Grant, O Lord, we pray,
that we may draw new vigor
from celebrating the Nativity of your Only Begotten Son,
by whose heavenly mystery we receive both food and drink.
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.

Final Song

Mass during the Night

ENTRANCE RITE

Entrance Antiphon (Introit)

The Lord said to me: You are my Son. It is I who have begotten you this day. (Psalm 2:7)

Entrance Song

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

My brother and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the mysterier, let us call to mind our sins.

I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore 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.

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

Lord, have mercy,
Lord, have mercy,
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy,
Lord, have mercy,

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you, we bless you,
we adore you, we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory.
Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
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

O God, who have made this most sacred night
radiant with the splendor of the true light,
grant, we pray, that we, who have known the mysteries of his light on earth,
may also delight in his glad-ness in heaven.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. 
Amen.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

FIRST READING

A reading from the prophet Isaiah

A son will be given to us. ( Is 9:1-6 )

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
For every boot that tramped in battle,
every cloak rolled in blood,
will be burned as fuel for flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast
and forever peaceful,
from David’s throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
by judgment and justice,
both now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

( Ps 96: 1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13 )

Response: Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Sing to the LORD a new song;
   sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Announce his salvation, day after day.
    Tell his glory among the nations;
    among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
   let the sea and what fills it resound;
   let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes;
   for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
   and the peoples with his constancy.
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

SECOND READING

A reading from the letter of St Paul to Titus

The appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus. ( Ti 2:11-14 )

Beloved:
The grace of God has appeared, saving all
and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,
as we await the blessed hope,
the appearance of the glory of our great God
and savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness
and to cleanse for himself a people as his own,
eager to do what is good.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia, alleluia.
I proclaim to you good news of great joy:
today a Savior is born for us,
Christ the Lord. ( Lk 2:10-11 )
Alleluia.

GOSPEL

There has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ( Lk 2:1-14 )

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke

Glory to you, Lord.

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
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 living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

PROFESSION OF FAITH

I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,

(today, at the words that follow up to and including and became man, all kneel down)

and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son
is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism
for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

Our response is: Christ our Lord hear our prayer.

For the Church – that this Christmas will stir in us a great desire to seek love in all things and in all we do. Lord born anew hear our prayer. Christ our Lord hear our prayer.

For nations and peoples who face war, conflict or civil unrest – that there will be peace. Lord born anew hear our prayer. Christ our Lord hear our prayer.

For the whole human family – that as one human family, we grow stronger in awareness that we are connected to and dependent on each other, and that we increase in our desire to seek each other’s well-being and the common good. Lord born anew hear our prayer. Christ our Lord hear our prayer.

For babies  – that they will be loved, nurtured and cared for as they grow, so that their humanity might flourish.Lord born anew hear our prayer. Christ our Lord hear our prayer.

For those who grieve the loss of loved ones  – that the Christmas star will light the way to new peace and new calm. Lord born anew hear our prayer. Christ our Lord hear our prayer.

For refugees – that they will be made welcome. Lord born anew hear our prayer. Christ our Lord hear our prayer.

For each person gathered here – that as Mary and Joseph trusted, we will trust Christ to be a transforming presence in our lives, taking away our hearts of stone, giving us hearts for love alone. Lord born anew hear our prayer. Christ our Lord hear our prayer.

For the planet on which we live  – that people will not be overwhelmed by forecasts of climate change, but rather that we respond energetically to Pope Francis call to act, and engage with the Laudato si Action Platform. Lord born anew hear our prayer. Christ our Lord hear our prayer.  

THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Offertory Song

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS

May the oblation of this day’s feast
be pleasing to you, O Lord, we pray,
that through this most holy exchange
we may be found in the likeness of Christ,
in whom our nature is united to you.
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. 
Amen.

PREFACE and EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

Preface II of the Nativity of the Lord: 
[The restoration of all things in the Incarnation]

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.
For on the feast of this awe-filled mystery,
though invisible in his own divine nature,
he has appeared visibly in ours;
and begotten before all ages,
he has begun to exist in time;
so that, raising up in himself all that was cast down,
he might restore unity to all creation
and call straying humanity back to the heavenly Kingdom.
And so, with all the Angels, we praise you,
as in joyful celebration we acclaim:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts…

COMMUNION RITE

Communion Antiphon

The Word became flesh, and we have seen his glory. John 1:14 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Grant, we pray, O Lord, our God,
that we,who are gladdened by participation
in the feast of our Redeemer’s Nativity,
may through an honorable way of life become worthy of union with him.
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. 
Amen.

Final Song