Christmas Day

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Christmas Day

The Nativity of the Lord
December 25, 2023

Readings

Vigil

First Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 89: 4-5, 16-17, 27, 29
Second Reading: Acts 13: 16-17, 22-25
Gospel: Matthew 1: 1-25

Midnight

First Reading: Isaiah 9:1-6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96: 1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13.
Second Reading: Timothy 2: 11-14
Gospel: Luke 2: 1-14

Dawn

First Reading: Isaiah 62:11-12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 97:1, 6, 11-12.
Second Reading: Timothy 3: 4-7
Gospel: Luke 2: 15-20

During the Day

First Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6.
Second Reading: Hebrews 1: 1-6
Gospel: John1: 1-18

CLICK HERE for these readings

No matter when you participate in Mass for Christmas, all the readings shed light on the fullness of Christmas and help to unfold the meaning of the Incarnation.

Think

Take time to reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation. We celebrate the Word made Flesh on Christmas day. How has the Lord broken through and entered into your life experiences?

Pray

We Greet Your Coming
We greet your coming, God, with wonder:
You come to be with us; yet you remain far greater than we can imagine.
You are near; yet your wisdom sets you apart from us.
You appear among us; yet we cannot describe your glory.

We greet your coming, God, with repentance:
We are more or less satisfied with ourselves; but your presence exposes our sin and failure.
We are self-confident; but you challenge our confidence in ourselves.
We are proud of our understanding; but you show us that we do not know everything.

We greet your coming, God, with joy:
We had no true idea of what you are like; but you have shown us yourself in Jesus Christ.
We felt our human life could be of no importance to you; but you have shown its value by appearing among us as a man.

We are aware of the gulf between us and you; but you have bridged it with love.
God, we greet your coming in Jesus Christ our Lord!

- Caryl Micklem, Contemporary Prayers for Public Worship

Act

ChristmasDay HolyFamilyGod has become one of us! Who are the people in your life that may not remember this beautiful gift? God dwells with us! How can you make that clearer to your family, friends and co-workers? Do something concrete this week that helps to reveal God’s presence in our world.

Additional Resources

Prayers for Christmas celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th

Ways to Celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas

Additional Christmas-Related Resources from Catholic Publishers

Sadlier                                             

Loyola

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