Feast

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Sunday, 25 December 2022 : Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Midnight Mass (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : White

Psalm 95 : 1-2a, 2b-3, 11-12, 13

Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless His Name.

Proclaim His salvation day after day. Recall His glory among the nations, tell all the peoples His wonderful deeds.

Let the heavens be glad, the earth rejoice; let the sea and all that fills it resound; let the fields exult and everything in them; let the forest, all the trees, sing for joy.

Let them sing before the Lord Who comes to judge the earth. He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with fairness.

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Sunday, 25 December 2022 : Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Midnight Mass (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Isaiah 9 : 1-7

The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light. A light has dawned on those who live in the land of the shadow of death. You have enlarged the nation; You have increased their joy. They rejoice before You, as people rejoice at harvest time as they rejoice in dividing the spoil.

For the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressors, You have broken it as on the day of Midian. Every warrior’s boot that tramped in war, every cloak rolled in blood, will be thrown out for burning, will serve as fuel for the fire.

For a Child is born to us, a Son is given us; the royal ornament is laid upon His shoulder, and His Name is proclaimed : “Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

To the increase of His powerful rule in peace, there will be no end. Vast will be His dominion, He will reign on David’s throne and over all his kingdom, to establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time onward and forever. The zealous love of YHVH Sabaoth will do this.

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Saturday, 24 December 2022 : Vigil Mass of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Eve (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, after a whole month of the season of Advent, tonight we have finally reached this day that we have been awaiting for so long, and that is the moment when we rejoice greatly at the celebration of the Lord’s birth, His Nativity and entry into this world. This night, we mark the Vigil of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, and truly we can sing and praise the Lord in great joy, welcoming Him as He comes into our midst, and as we remember all the love which He has poured upon us. And as we enter into this most joyful Christmas season, we are called to remember why we rejoice in the first place. It is the coming of Christ, the Saviour which we are most happy about, as His coming fulfilled all the many promises and assurances of salvation, as He had made to us from the beginning of time.

In our first reading today, we heard from the Book of the prophet Isaiah, the words of assurance from God to His people Israel, to the people of the southern kingdom of Judah as He delivered it to those who have been downtrodden and troubled, all those who have suffered difficulties, hardships and destruction, humiliation at the hands of their enemies. Back then, the fortunes of God’s people, the Israelites have been at a very low point because they had faced a lot of opposition, and the entire northern half of the nation of the Israelites, named the northern kingdom of Israel, had been crushed and destroyed by the Assyrians, whose king led the forces to destroy Samaria, the capital of that kingdom, as well as exiling many of the people away from their ancestral homeland to distant lands, all because of their sins and wickedness.

The people of God had often rebelled and disobeyed against the Lord, refusing to listen to His words and reminders, persecuting and rejecting the prophets and messengers sent to them to remind them. They hardened their hearts to His words, and as such, they had to face the consequences of their wickedness and evils, and thus faced those great humiliations and punishments due to their sins. But it did not mean that God despised them, as the truth is that, God despised the sins that they have committed and not the people themselves. It was their persistence to remain in the state of sin, and their many sins which had led them to be punished and to face the consequences of their sins. But God never gave up on them, and He has always reached out to them again and again, nudging them to return to Him and to be reconciled with Him.

Hence, the Lord reminded His people in our first reading today that if only they repented from their sins, turned away from their wicked ways and came back to Him, that they would be glorious and blessed once again, and God would gladly bestow upon them what their ancestors had once enjoyed, the grace and favour, the glory and might among all the nations of the Earth. If only that they would listen to Him and embraced His ways once again, then they would be glorious and mighty again, as a people blessed by God, and as a nation united in the same Lord and King. The Lord has always been faithful to the Covenant that He has made with His people, and He has given them in the end, the ultimate form of His love, with the coming and appearing of Christ, His Son in our world.

In our second reading today, St. Paul in the Acts of the Apostles spoke courageously before the people regarding God’s salvation which He had extended to all of His people through time and time again, reaching out to them and fulfilling His promises to them, just as He raised up first Saul and then David to be King over His people, Israel, and then, just as He had promised David, in making his reign and the dominion of his house secure, He would fulfil all these through the coming of Jesus Christ, born of the House of David, as the long awaited Messiah or Saviour, having been born and entered into our history, so that by His coming into this world all of us can see all of the goodness of God and the love which He has always consistently showed us, right from the beginning.

The account of the birth of Jesus in our Gospel from St. Matthew also further highlighted this, as we heard of all the generations right from Adam to Jesus, through Abraham and David, the ancestors of the Saviour of all. The birth and coming of Jesus Christ into this world is therefore marking that pivotal moment when God finally made evident and perfect all that He has put into place from the very beginning. God has always loved us, and even when our first ancestors disobeyed Him and refused to follow His path, He did not will them to annihilation and destruction although He could have perfectly done so. He exiled them from the Gardens of Eden as a consequence of their sins, but He also promised them all the coming of His deliverance, through the Saviour He would send unto them.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, as we rejoice today in this great Solemnity of the Lord’s Nativity, celebrating His birth and coming into this world, let us all keep in mind of what He has done for us, and what we ourselves should be doing with our lives knowing of everything that He has given us out of love. The Lord has showed His love and taught us to do the same, so that everyone should be the bearers of His love and truth, doing His will and walking henceforth in His Presence, erasing the past humiliations due to our sins and wickedness. God has always showed us the path of righteousness, and through His Son, Our Lord and Saviour, He showed us the perfect example of love, obedience and faith, essentially how all of us should act and behave as Christians.

Yes, brothers and sisters in Christ, it is important that this Christmas should be a reminder to all of us in living our lives that we may seek to become better Christians, and that we do not just be like nominal Christians, having faith in name only. How we celebrate Christmas is one of the way that this is reflected. We can see just how pervasive and ubiquitous the secular and worldly Christmas celebrations all around us are, and how even many among us Christians, we celebrate Christmas in the same way, with great excesses in pleasures, merrymaking and rejoicing, but one that is empty because Christ is not at the centre of all of our rejoicing and celebrations. Christ has often been forgotten and ignored at the celebration of His own birthday, and that is truly something that is sad at Christmas every year.

Now, brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all therefore make good use of this time of Christmas to share the love of God which He has shown us to all of our fellow brethren, to all the people we meet and encounter, even to acquaintances and strangers. It is not a time to love ourselves and to immerse ourselves in our self-indulgence and excessive merrymaking. Instead, it should be a time for us to be more generous in the giving and sharing of our love and joy with others, especially with all those who are less fortunate and not capable of celebrating Christmas in the manner that we do. We should do our best to show others around us what Christmas truly means, and share whatever extra blessings and graces we have received, with those who have less or even none at all.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, as we enter into this Christmas season, let us all continue to make good use of the time and opportunity in order to deepen our relationship with God, and to immerse ourselves in the celebration of God’s love and compassion, to centre ourselves and focus on Christ as the reason why we rejoice throughout this glorious and most joyful season. Let us draw ever closer to the Lord and His love, and let us all be ever more exemplary in how we live our lives from now on, and also in how we share the love of God with one another. May God bless us in our every good efforts and endeavours, now and always, forevermore. Wishing all of us a most blessed and wonderful Christmas season for all of us and our loved ones. Amen.

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Saturday, 24 December 2022 : Vigil Mass of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Eve (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Matthew 1 : 1-25

This is the account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, Son of David, Son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (their mother was Tamar), Perez was the father of Hezron, and Hezron of Aram. Aram was the father of Aminadab, Aminadab of Nahshon, Nahshon of Salmon.

Salmon was the father of Boaz. His mother was Rahab. Boaz was the father of Obed. His mother was Ruth. Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of David, the king. David was the father of Solomon. His mother had been Uriah’s wife. Solomon was the father of Rehoboam. Then came the kings : Abijah, Asaph, Jehoshaphat, Joram, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah.

Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the deportation to Babylon. After the deportation to Babylon, Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel and Salathiel of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud, Abiud of Eliakim, and Eliakim of Azor. Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, and Akim the father of Eliud. Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar of Matthan, and Matthan of Jacob.

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and from her came Jesus Who is called the Christ – the Messiah. There were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, and fourteen generations from David to the deportation to Babylon, and fourteen generations from the deportation to Babylon to the birth of Christ.

This is how Jesus Christ was born : Mary His mother had been given to Joseph in marriage, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph, her husband, made plans to divorce her in all secrecy. He was an upright man, and in no way did he want to discredit her.

While he was pondering over this, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She has conceived by the Holy Spirit, and now she will bear a Son. You shall call Him ‘Jesus’ for He will save His people from their sins.”

All this happened in order to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet : The Virgin will conceive and bear a Son, and He will be called Emmanuel, which means God-with-us. When Joseph woke up, he did what the Angel of the Lord had told him to do, and he took his wife to his home.

So she gave birth to a Son and he had not had marital relations with her. Joseph gave Him the Name Jesus.

Alternative reading (shorter version)

Matthew 1 : 18-25

This is how Jesus Christ was born : Mary His mother had been given to Joseph in marriage, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph, her husband, made plans to divorce her in all secrecy. He was an upright man, and in no way did he want to discredit her.

While he was pondering over this, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She has conceived by the Holy Spirit, and now she will bear a Son. You shall call Him ‘Jesus’ for He will save His people from their sins.”

All this happened in order to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet : The Virgin will conceive and bear a Son, and He will be called Emmanuel, which means God-with-us. When Joseph woke up, he did what the Angel of the Lord had told him to do, and he took his wife to his home.

So she gave birth to a Son and he had not had marital relations with her. Joseph gave Him the Name Jesus.

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Saturday, 24 December 2022 : Vigil Mass of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Eve (Second Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Acts 13 : 16-17, 22-25

So Paul arose, motioned to them for silence and began, “Fellow Israelites and also all you who fear God, listen. The God of our people Israel chose our ancestors, and after He had made them increase during their stay in Egypt, He led them out by powerful deeds.

After that time, God removed Saul and raised up David as king, to whom He bore witness saying : I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all I want him to do.

It is from the descendants of David that God has now raised up the promised Saviour of Israel, Jesus. Before He appeared, John proclaimed a baptism of repentance for all the people of Israel. As John was ending his life’s work, he said : ‘I am not what you think I am, for after me another One is coming Whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.'”

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Saturday, 24 December 2022 : Vigil Mass of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Eve (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : White

Psalm 88 : 4-5, 16-17, 27 and 29

You said, “I have made a covenant with David, My chosen one; I have made a pledge to My servant. I establish his descendants forever; I build his throne for all generations.”

Blessed is the people who know Your praise. They walk in the light of Your face. They celebrate all day Your Name and Your protection lifts them up.

He will call on Me, “You are my Father, my God, my Rock, my Saviour.” I will keep My covenant firm forever, and My love for him will endure.

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Saturday, 24 December 2022 : Vigil Mass of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Eve (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Isaiah 62 : 1-5

For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, for Jerusalem I will not keep silent, until her holiness shines like the dawn and her salvation flames like a burning torch. The nations will see your holiness and all the kings your glory. You will be called by a new name which the mouth of YHVH will reveal.

You will be a crown of glory in the hand of YHVH, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will you be named Forsaken; no longer will your land be called Abandoned; but you will be called My Delight and your land Espoused. For YHVH delights in you and will make your land His spouse.

As a young man marries a virgin, so will your Builder marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so will your God rejoice in you.

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(Usus Antiquior) Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Double I Classis) – Sunday, 25 December 2022: Offertory, Secret Prayer of the Priest, Preface of the Nativity, Communion and Post-Communion Prayer

Liturgical Colour : White

Offertory

Offertory (Christmas Midnight Mass)

Psalm 95 : 11, 13

Laetentur caeli et exsultet terra ante faciem Domini : quoniam venit.

English translation

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad before the face of the Lord, because He came.

Offertory (Christmas Mass at Dawn)

Psalm 92 : 1-2

Deus firmavit orbem terrae, qui non commovebitur : parata sedes Tua, Deus, ex tunc, a saeculo Tu es.

English translation

God had established the world, which shall not be moved. Your throne, o God, is prepared from of old. You are from everlasting.

Offertory (Christmas Daytime Mass)

Psalm 88 : 12, 15

Tui sunt caeli et Tua est terra : orbem terrarum et plenitudinem Ejus Tu fundasti : justitia et judicium praeparatio sedis Tuae.

English translation

Yours are the heavens, and Yours is the earth, the world and the fullness thereof You have founded, justice and judgment are the preparation of Your throne.

Secret Prayer of the Priest

Secret (Christmas Midnight Mass)

Accepta Tibi sit, Domine, quaesumus, hodiernae festivitatis oblatio : ut, Tua gratia largiente, per haec sacrosancta commercia, in illius inveniamur forma, in quo Tecum est nostra substantia : Qui Tecum vivis et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

May the oblation of this day’s festivity, we pray to You, o Lord, find acceptance with You, that, by the bounty of Your grace, we may, through this sacred intercourse, be found made like unto Him in Whom our substance is united with You. Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Secret (Christmas Mass at Dawn)

Munera nostra, quaesumus, Domine, Nativitatis hodiernae mysteriis apta proveniant, et pacem nobis semper infundant : ut, sicut homo genitus idem refulsit et Deus, sic nobis haec terrena substantia conferat, quod divinum est. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

May our gifts, we pray to You, o Lord, come forth agreeable to the mysteries of this day’s Nativity, and may they shower upon us peace, that as He Who was begotten as Man shone forth also as God, so it may also be that this earthly substance bring us that which is divine. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Secret (Christmas Daytime Mass)

Oblata, Domine, munera, nova Unigeniti Tui Nativitate sanctifica : nosque a peccatorum nostrorum maculis emunda. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Sanctify our oblations, o Lord, by the new birth of Your only begotten Son, and cleanse us from the stains of our sins. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Preface of the Nativity

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos Tibi semper et ubique gratias agere : Domine, Sancte Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus : Quia per incarnati Verbi mysterium nova mentis nostrae oculis lux Tuae claritatis infulsit : ut, dum visibiliter Deum cognoscimus, per hunc in invisibilium amorem rapiamur.

Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus cumque omni militia caelestis exercitus hymnum gloriae Tuae canimus, sine fine dicentes :

English translation

It is truly meet and just, right and available to salvation, that we should always and in all places give thanks to You, o Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, because by the mystery of the Word made flesh, from Your brightness a new light had risen to shine on the eyes of our souls, in order that, God becoming visible to us, we may be borne upward to the love of things invisible.

And therefore with the Angels and Archangels, with the Dominions and Powers, with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing of Your glory without end saying :

Communion

Communion (Christmas Midnight Mass)

Psalm 109 : 3

In splendoribus Sanctorum, ex utero ante luciferum genui Te.

English translation

In the brightness of the saints, from the womb before the day-star I have begotten You.

Communion (Christmas Mass at Dawn)

Zechariah 9 : 9

Exsulta, filia Sion, lauda, filia Jerusalem : ecce, Rex Tuus venit sanctus et Salvator mundi.

English translation

Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion, shout for joy, o daughter of Jerusalem. Behold your King comes, holy, the Saviour of the world.

Communion (Christmas Daytime Mass)

Psalm 97 : 3

Viderunt omnes fines terrae salutare Dei nostri.

English translation

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Post-Communion Prayer

Post-Communion Prayer (Christmas Midnight Mass)

Da nobis, quaesumus, Domine, Deus noster : ut, qui Nativitatem Domini nostri Jesu Christi mysterii nos frequentare gaudemus; dignis conversationibus ad ejus mereamur pervenire consortium. Qui Tecum vivis et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Grant, we beseech You, o Lord our God, that we, who rejoice to celebrate with these mysteries the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, may deserve by worthy living to attain His companionship. Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Post-Communion Prayer (Christmas Mass at Dawn)

Hujus nos, Domine, sacramenti semper novitas natalis instauret : cujus Nativitas singularis humanam reppulit vetustatem. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

May the Christmas renewal of this sacrament ever restore us, o Lord, Whose miraculous birth did put away the ancient things of mankind. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Post-Communion Prayer (Christmas Daytime Mass)

Praesta, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus : ut natus hodie Salvator mundi, sicut divinae nobis generationis est auctor; ita et immortalitatis sit ipse largitor : Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation
Grant, we beseech You, o Almighty God, that, as the Saviour of the world, born on this day, is unto us the Author of divine generation, so He may also be the bestower of immortality. He Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

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(Usus Antiquior) Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Double I Classis) – Sunday, 25 December 2022 : Holy Gospel

Liturgical Colour : White

Gospel (Christmas Midnight Mass)

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

Luke 2 : 1-14

In illo tempore : Exiit edictum a Caesare Augusto, ut describeretur universus orbis. Haec descripto prima facta est a praeside Syriae Cyrino : et ibant omnes ut profiterentur singuli in suam civitatem. Ascendit autem et Joseph a Galilaea de civitate Nazareth, in Judaeam in civitatem David, quae vocatur Bethlehem : eo quod esset de domo et familia David, ut profiteretur cum Maria desponsata sibi uxore praegnante.

Factum est autem, cum essent ibi, impleti sunt dies, ut pareret. Et peperit Filium suum primogenitum, et pannis eum involvit, et reclinavit eum in praesepio : quia non erat eis locus in diversorio. Et pastores erant in regione eadem vigilantes, et custodientes vigilias noctis super gregem suum.

Et ecce, Angelus Domini stetit juxta illos, et claritas Dei circumfulsit illos, et timuerunt timore magno. Et dixit illis Angelus : Nolite timere : ecce enim, evangelizo vobis gaudium magnum, quod erit omni populo : quia natus est vobis hodie Salvator, qui est Christus Dominus, in civitate David.

Et hoc vobis signum : Invenientis infantem pannis involutum, et positum in praesepio. Et subito facta est cum Angelo multitudo militiae caelestis, laudantium Deum et dicentium : Gloria in Altissimis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.

English translation

At that time, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first made by Quirinus, the governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and the family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his espoused wife, who was with Child.

And it came to pass that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him up in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock.

And behold an Angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them, and they feared with a great fear. And the Angel said to them, “Do not fear, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people, for on this day is born to you a Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.”

“And this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the Infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will.”

Gospel (Christmas Mass at Dawn)

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

Luke 2 : 15-20

In illo tempore : Pastores loquebantur ad invicem : Transeamus usque Bethlehem, et videamus hoc verbum, quod factum est, quod Dominus ostendit nobis. Et venerunt festinantes : et invenerunt Mariam et Joseph, et Infantem positum in praesepio.

Videntes autem cognoverunt de verbo, quod dictum erat illis de Puero hoc. Et omnes, qui audierunt, mirati sunt : et de his, quae dicta erant a pastoribus ad ipsos. Maria autem conservabat omnia verba haec, conferens in corde suo. Et reversi sunt pastores, glorificantes et laudantes Deum in omnibus, quae audierant et viderant, sicut dictum est ad illos.

English translation

At that time, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord had shown to us.” And they came with haste, and they found Mary and Joseph, and the Infant lying in the manger.

And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this Child. And all who heard wondered, and at those things that were told to them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Gospel (Christmas Daytime Mass)

Initium Sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem – The beginning of the Holy Gospel according to St. John

John 1 : 1-14

In principio erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum. Hoc erat in principio apud Deum. Omnia per ipsum facta sunt : et sine ipso factum est nihil, quod factum est : in ipso vita erat, et vita erat lux hominum : et lux in tenebris lucet, et tenebrae eam non comprehenderunt.

Fuit homo missus a Deo, cui nomen erat Joannes. Hic venit in testimonium, ut testimonium, perhiberet de lumine, ut omnes crederent per illum. Non erat ille lux, sed ut testimonium, perhiberet de lumine. Erat lux vera, quae illuminat omnem hominem venientem in hunc mundum. In mundo erat, et mundus per ipsum factus est, et mundus Eum non cognovit.

In propria venit, et sui eum non receperunt. Quotquot autem receperunt eum, dedit eis potestatem filios Dei fieri, his, qui credunt in Nomine Ejus : qui non ex sanguinibus, neque ex voluntate carnis, neque ex voluntate viri, sed ex Deo nati sunt.

(Genuflect)

ET VERBO CARO FACTUM EST, et habitavit in nobis : et vidimus gloriam Ejus, gloriam quasi Unigeniti a Patre, plenum gratiae et veritatis.

English translation

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was made nothing that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men, and the light shone in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness to give testimony of the Light, that all men might believe through him. He was not the Light, but was to give testimony of the Light. That was the true Light which enlightened every men that came into this world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world did not know Him.

He came unto His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as those who received Him, to them He gave the power to become the sons of God, to those who believe in His Name, who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the Flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

(Genuflect)

AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, and dwelt among us. And we saw His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

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(Usus Antiquior) Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Double I Classis) – Sunday, 25 December 2022 : Gradual and Alleluia

Liturgical Colour : White

Gradual and Alleluia (Christmas Midnight Mass)

Psalm 109 : 3, 1 and Psalm 2 : 7

Tecum principium in die virtutis Tuae : in splendoribus Sanctorum, ex utero ante luciferum genui Te.

Response : Dixit Dominus Domino meo : Sede a dextris Meis : donec ponam inimicos Tuos, scabellum pedum Tuorum.

Alleluja, Alleluja.

Response : Dominus dixit ad Me : Filius Meus es Tu, Ergo hodie genui Te. Alleluja.

English translation

With You is the principality in the day of Your strength in the brightness of the saints, from the womb before the day-star I have begotten You.

Response : The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Response : The Lord had said to Me, You are My Son, this day I have begotten You. Alleluia.

Gradual and Alleluia (Christmas Mass at Dawn)

Psalm 117 : 26-27, 23 and Psalm 92 : 1

Benedictus, qui venit in Nomine Domini : Deus Dominus, et illuxit nobis.

Response : A Domino factum est istud : et est mirabile in oculis nostris.

Alleluja, Alleluja.

Response : Dominus regnavit, decorem induit : induit Dominus fortitudinem, et praecinxit se virtute. Alleluja.

English translation

Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord, the Lord is God, and He had shone upon us.

Response : This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Response : The Lord had reigned, He is clothed with beauty, the Lord is clothed with strength, and had girded Himself with power. Alleluia.

Gradual and Alleluia (Christmas Daytime Mass)

Psalm 97 : 3, 2 and Tradition of the Faith

Viderunt omnes fines terrae salutare Dei nostri : jubilate Deo, omnis terra.

Response : Notum fecit Dominus salutare suum : ante conspectum gentium revelavit justitiam suam.

Alleluja, Alleluja.

Response : Dies sanctificatus illuxit nobis : venite, gentes, et adorate Dominum : quia hodie descendit lux magna super terram. Alleluja.

English translation

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Sing joyfully to God all the earth.

Response : The Lord had made known His salvation, He had revealed His justice in the sight of the Gentiles.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Response : A hallowed day had dawned for us, come all of you, Gentiles, and adore the Lord, for this day a great light had descended upon the earth. Alleluia.