When the Ministers have lined up in the center of the church the Commentator CM says:
CM Please Stand.
Dear friends:
On this (night) (day), 20___ years ago, Jesus, our Savior, was born.
Shepherds and Wise Men came to adore him. (Pause)
We, too, have come to adore him…..
so let us now rejoice, as we sing:
Ay O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL. [2 verses max.]
[Procession to the Sanctuary begins]
Sign of the Cross
Greeting
Sisters and brothers in Christ:
On that first Christmas Night the Angel said:
“Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good news;
a message of peace and joy is given to the whole world.
Today in the city of David,
a Savior is born to you who is Christ, the Lord.”
May the peace and joy of the newborn child be with you all.
Introduction and Welcome
Litany of Praise
Before listening to the Word of God
and celebrating at the Table of the Lord
let us praise the Lord Jesus Christ. [pause]
Lord Jesus, you are mighty God and Prince of Peace:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are Son of God and Son of Mary:
Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are Word made flesh and radiance of God’s glory:
Lord, have mercy.
The Gloria is given special prominence during the proclamation of the Gospel]
Opening Prayer
A ICEL 1997
Good and gracious God,
on this holy night you gave us your Son,
the Lord of the universe, wrapped in bands of cloth,
the Savior of humankind, lying in a manger.
On this holy night
draw us into the mystery of your love.
Join our voices with the heavenly host,
that we may sing your glory on high.
Give us a place among the shepherds,
that we may find the one for whom we have waited,
Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
in the splendor of eternal light,
God forever and ever. AMEN
Or
B Taken from Eucharistic Liturgies edited by J. Gallen
In joyful celebration of the message of peace and joy
let us pray: [pause]
Father we thank you for the ‘magic’ of Christmas,
this special moment of gladness and joy
when we celebrate all the beauty of being human.
We thank you for the message of peace
which you speak to us in your Son.
You are not afraid to become one of us,
to reach out and touch those you have called your own.
And we need not be afraid of you,
for you are a God
who is pleased to make your home with us.
We sing your praise with all the peoples of our world,
for you are our God,
today and everyday, forever and ever. AMEN
Responsorial Psalm: ‘Let Heaven Rejoice’ by Bob Dufford SJ
CM Tonight we join the whole of creation as we sing:
Ref. Let heaven rejoice and earth be glad; let all creation sing.
Let children proclaim through ev’ry land: “Hosanna to our King.”
- Rise in splendor; shake off your sleep; put on your robes of joy,
And in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord. Ref
- Nations tremble, wise men amazed, a child has been born this night.
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, a Father, Prince of Peace. Ref.
- Songs of angels, “Glory on high, and peace to all on earth.
I bear glad tidings, born this day, your Savior and your God” Ref.
[Because of time constraints the 2nd Reading is omitted]
CM Please STAND for the Alleluia and Gospel
Celtic Alleluia!
Alleluia!
“I bring you news of great joy,
joy for all the nations,
For today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Alleluia!
THE CHRISTMAS GOSPEL
In this Gospel two texts will be sung,
GLORY TO GOD…. ON EARTH . or PAPURI SA DIYOS… N’YA.
and COME TO BETHLEHEM AND SEE
The message of the Angel can be spoken by a person – Male or Female – stationed in the Sacristy.
Legend: P = Presider; N = Narrator; A = Angel; Cr = Choir; Ay = Assembly
P. A PROCLAMATION OF THE GOOD NEWS ACCORDING TO LUKE
[Luke 2.1-20]
N
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus
that all the world should be registered.
This was the first registration
and was taken while Quirinius was Governor of Syria.
All went to their own towns to be registered.
Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee
to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem,
because he was descended from the house and family of David.
He went to be registered with Mary,
to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to deliver her child.
And she gave birth to her firstborn son
and wrapped him in bands of cloth,
and laid him in a manger,
because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
Then an angel of the Lord stood before them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them:
A.
Do not be afraid, for see –
I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:
to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
who is the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign for you:
you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth
and lying in a manger.
N
Suddenly a great multitude of heaven’s angels appeared with the angel praising God and singing:
Ay
Glory, Glory to God in the highest,
Glory to God.
Glory, Glory to God in the highest,
Glory to God.
Amen, Amen, Amen.
Papuri sa Diyos, Papuri sa Diyos,
Papuri sa Diyos sa kaitaasan.
At sa lupa’y kapayapaan,
at sa lupa’y kapaypaan,
sa mga taong kinalulugdan N’ya.
N
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven,
the shepherds said to one another:
Cr.
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing.
Come adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Ay
GLO-RI-A IN EXCELSIS DE-O.
GLO-RI-A IN EXCELSIS DE-E-O.
N
So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph,
and the child lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known what had been told to them about this child:
and all who heard it were amazed
at what the shepherds had told them.
But Mary treasured all these words
and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
as it had been told them.
P. THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD.
CM Please be SEATED.
Guidelines
After the Gospel, the Couple assigned to carry the Infant Jesus to the Crib take the image (from the Sacristy) and walk slowly across the front of the Sanctuary. When they arrive there they place the Image in the crib. They then take up a position outside the entrance of the Crib and remain there until after the children have gone. They then return to their seats.
CM The Manger / Crib will now be blessed. [pause]
We invite all the children to join the couple as they walk towards the Crib.
(She points to where it is located and, if necessary, repeats the instruction.)
The Presider joins the Couple and the children in their procession.
He puts incense in the Thurible, incenses the Image(s) … and then the children.
He then prays the Blessing prayer. [Page 6].
Christmas Eve / Day – 5
CM Please KNEEL for the Blessing.
The Blessing of the Crib
P Let us pray. [pause]
We praise and thank you, Lord, God of the nations.
To set us free, you sent your only Son
to be born of the Virgin Mary.
A lowly cave was his birth-place;
the animal’s manger was his first cradle.
Yet all the while the angels sang out his glory.
God of Mary and Joseph,
of shepherds and animals,
bless + us whenever we gaze on this Crib.
Through all the days of Christmas
may this crib tell the story
of how shepherds and wise men,
angels and animals,
found Christ in Bethlehem.
All praise and thanksgiving be yours, Father,
through Jesus your Son,
truly God and truly human,
living and reigning with you and the Holy Spirit,
now and forever. AMEN.
[The Presider now returns to the Chair for the Homily.]
Homily
Credo Before the beginning of the CREDO the CM says: Please STAND
CM During the recitation of the CREDO you are requested to KNEEL and PAUSE after the words ‘ ….BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY’ .
CM is the first to kneel down at the appointed time.
After a suitable pause, e.g. ½ minute, the CM says: PLEASE STAND.
The Credo continues, ‘He suffered under Pontius Pilate…..’
Christmas Eve / Day 6
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
P On this holy (night) (day),
let us ask Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Mary, to intercede for us.
CM Let our response be: Lord, bless your people.
- Prince of Peace, at your birth the angels announce the Good News to the shepherds.
Fill our world, torn by division, hatred and wars, with the good news of reconciliation and peace. We pray: - Emmanuel, you make your dwelling among us. Bless all the families of our parish, especially those that are suffering at this time: We pray:
- Divine Shepherd, you lead the shepherds to the manger. Bless our religious and political leaders. Make them humble and responsible servants of your people. We pray:
- Divine Messiah, many still do not know you. Let the Good News of your coming resound throughout the world so that people will hear the comforting words of hope and salvation. We pray:
- Infant Jesus, bless our world with food and people who care for others so that there will never be another hungry or unloved child in our midst. We pray:
[The Presider may add a petition that is topical / relevant]
P Father of Jesus, hear these prayers that we have made to Jesus, your Son and our Lord. AMEN.
Presentation of the Gifts
Prayer over the Gifts
Loving Father,
your gift of your Son, Jesus,
shows us what it is to be human.
May the presentation of our gifts today
make us fully human and fully alive,
like your newborn Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
AMEN.
. Christmas Eve / Day 7
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER #2
Introductory Dialogue
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.
Today you fill our hearts with joy and wonder
as we recognize in Christ the revelation of your love.
No eye can see his glory as our God,
yet now he is seen as one of us.
Christ is your Son before all ages,
yet now he is born in time.
He has come to lift up all things to himself,
to restore unity to all creation
and lead 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,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
You are indeed Holy, O Lord,
the fount of all holiness.
[Christmas and its Octave:
We gather here together before you
in communion with the whole church,
and we celebrate the most holy (night) (day)
when Mary, in her glorious virginity,
gave birth to the Savior of the world.
Through him, our Redeemer and our Lord, we pray:]
Send down your Spirit upon these gifts
to make them holy
that they may become for us
the Body and + Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
At the time he was betrayed
and entered willingly into his Passion,
he took bread and,
giving thanks,
broke it,
and gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT:
FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
In a similar way, when supper was ended,
he took the cup
and, once more giving thanks,
he gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,
FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT,
WHICH WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL
FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
The mystery of faith.
A
We proclaim your death, O Lord,
and profess your resurrection
until you come again.
B
When we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we proclaim your death. O Lord,
until you come again.
C
Save us, Savior of the world,
for by your cross and resurrection
you have set us free.
Remembering, therefore, his death and resurrection,
we offer you, Lord,
the bread of life
and the cup of salvation,
giving thanks that you have deemed us worthy
to stand in your presence and serve you.
Humbly we pray that,
partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ,
we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.
Remember, Lord, your Church,
spread throughout the world,
and bring her to the fullness of love,
together with N., our Pope,
N., our bishop,
and all the clergy.
Remember also our brothers and sisters
who have fallen asleep
in the hope of the resurrection,
and all who have died in your mercy:
welcome them into the light of your face.
Have mercy on us all, we pray,
that with the blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with blessed Joseph, her Spouse,
with the blessed Apostles,
and all the Saints,
who had found favor with you throughout the ages,
we may share eternal life with them
and may praise and glorify you
through your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
for ever and ever. AMEN.
Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer
The Son of God became a child among us
that we might become children of God
who dare to say / sing:
Deliver us
Deliver us, Father, from all that is evil,
from fear and despair….
from everything that prevents us from being fully human.
Keep us faithful in proclaiming
your tidings of peace and joy
as we wait in hope for the second coming
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Prayer for Peace
Lord Jesus, at your birth the angels sang:
‘Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to all people on earth.’
(Yet conflict still continues in the Holy Land –
the land where you were born.
Enable us to continue the struggle for peace
in our own land – ______________ –
and throughout the world.)
Grant to us who have heard the message of the angels
the peace and unity where you live forever and ever. AMEN.
May the peace and joy of the Risen Lord be always with you.
Invitation to exchange peace
“Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
he will be called “Prince of Peace.” [Isaiah 9:6]
Let us share that peace in our blessing of one another.
LAMB OF GOD…..
Christmas Eve / Day 11
Invitation to Communion
This is Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Mary.
He is our God-with-us.
Blessed are we who are called to receive him.
Post Communion
Glory to you, our God, in the highest heaven!
With angels and shepherds,
with Mary and Joseph,
and with all people of good will
who long for peace,
we thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus.
As guests at his table,
let us become, with him,
your gift and your sign of hope to a waiting world.
We make our prayer through the same Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Solemn Blessing
A May the joy of the angels,
the wonder of the shepherds,
the obedience of Joseph and Mary,
and the peace of the Christ child
be yours this Christmas. AMEN
B God sent angels to the shepherds
to herald the great joy of our Savior’s birth.
May you be filled with joy
and be heralds of his Gospel. AMEN
And may the blessing of our loving God,
+ the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and your families today….. and forever. AMEN.
Dismissal [The Presider says in these or similar words]
“A child has been born for us,
a son given to us.” (pause)
Let us go and share with the world
the peace and joy of the Child of Bethlehem.
Contemporary Liturgy 
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