Liturgical Information
Christmas - Mass during the Day (ABC)

Themes & Motives: mystery of the Word, salvation, good news, God the Father

Introit:
A child is born for us, a son given to us; dominion is laid on his shoulder, and he shall be called Wonderful-Counselor. (Isaiah 9:6)

Opening Prayer:
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. Amen.

• Isaiah 52:7-10 [All the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. /v.10]
• Psalm 98:1 / 2-3 / 3-4 / 5-6 [R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. /v.3]
• Hebrews 1:1-6 [God has spoken to us in His Son. /v.2]
• Gospel Verse: [A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. Today a great light has come upon the earth.]
    See CNP's Gospel Verses for the Christmas Cycle CNP Catalog #3050
• John 1:1-18 [And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. /v.14]
    See CNP's Book of Sung Gospels - Third Edition CNP Catalog #3012-3

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 in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Preface for Christmas III: [Divine and Human Exchange in the Incarnation of the Word]
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 marvelous 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:

  Holy, holy, holy Lord...

Communion Antiphon:
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. (Psalm 97:3)

Prayer after Communion:
Father,
the child born today is the Savior 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. Amen.

Solemn Blessing:
When he came to us as man,
the Son of God scattered the darkness of this world,
and filled this holy night with his glory.
May the God of infinite goodness
scatter the darkness of sin
and brighten your hearts with holiness. Amen.

God sent his angels to shepherds
to herald the great joy of the Savior's birth.
May he fill you with joy
and make you heralds of his gospel. Amen.

When the Word became man,
earth was joined to heaven.
May he give you his peace and good will,
and fellowship with all the heavenly host. Amen.

** An official, approved English translation of the Offertory Antiphon has never been published. The offertory antiphon used here is cited in Latin in the Graduale Romanum. The English is from the New American Bible, a Scripture translation approved for liturgical use in the United States.

The English translation of the Introit, Opening Prayer, Psalm Refrain, Gospel Verse, Prayer over the Gifts, Preface, Communion Antiphon, Prayer after Communion, and Solemn Blessing from The Roman Missal, © Copyright 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.

Excerpts from the First Reading, Second Reading and Gospel are taken from the New American Standard Bible ® © Copyright 1973 The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.