CHRISTMAS: MASS AT DAWN

December 25

Themes

light, humility, quiet joy, awe, wonder

Entrance Antiphon

Today a light will shine upon us, for the Lord is born for us;
and he will be called Wondrous God,
Prince of peace, Father of future ages:
and his reign will be without end.

Communion Antiphon

Rejoice, O Daughter Sion; lift up praise, Daughter Jerusalem:
Behold, your King will come, the Holy One and Savior of the world.

Readings

Click to view the readings for this liturgy.

  Years A, B, C

First Reading Isaiah 62:11-12

See, the LORD proclaims
  to the ends of the earth:
say to daughter Zion,
  your savior comes!
Here is his reward with him,
  his recompense before him.
They shall be called the holy people,
  the redeemed of the LORD,
and you shall be called “Frequented,”
  a city that is not forsaken.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 97:1, 6, 11-12

℟. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.

The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
  let the many isles be glad.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory. ℟.

Light dawns for the just;
  and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
  and give thanks to his holy name. ℟.

Second Reading Titus 3:4-7

Beloved:
When the kindness and generous love
of God our savior appeared,

not because of any righteous deeds we had done
but because of his mercy,
He saved us through the bath of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
whom he richly poured out on us
through Jesus Christ our savior,
so that we might be justified by his grace
and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

Gospel Acclamation Luke 2:14

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to those
on whom his favor rests. ℟.

Gospel Luke 2:15-20

When the angels went away from them to heaven,
the shepherds said to one another,
“Let us go, then, to Bethlehem
to see this thing that has taken place,
which the Lord has made known to us.”
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.

✠   ✠   ✠

Music Selections

  Years A, B, C

2023 \(\bullet\) 2024 \(\bullet\) 2025 \(\bullet\) 2026 \(\bullet\) 2027 \(\bullet\) 2028…2046 \(\bullet\) 2047 \(\bullet\) 2048 \(\bullet\) 2049

Processional BB O Come, All Ye Faithful
Psalm RA A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.
Offertory BB Year A: God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen
BB Year B: Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
BB Year C: The Snow Lay on the Ground
Communion BB It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
Meditation BB Of the Father’s Love Begotten
Recessional BB Joy to the World

Choral Anthems

Choral anthems could be sung before Mass, in place of an offertory hymn, in place of a Communion hymn (if appropriate), or after Communion for meditation.
Year A Arise and Shine
Arise, Arise, and Shine
Year B Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending
Personent Hodie
Year C Wake From Your Sleep
Welcome the Light

Notes