Introit
FIRST READING Numbers 6:22-27
The Lord spoke to Moses: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them, 24 “‘The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.’ 27 “So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
SECOND READING Galatians 4:4-7
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6 And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
GOSPEL Luke 2:16-21
When the angels had left them the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
HOMILY
Most high God, you come near to us this Christmas season in the child born of the Virgin Mary. In the depths of darkness, she gave birth to light; in the depths of silence, she brought forth the Word. Grant that we who ponder these things in our hearts may recognise in her child our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendour of eternal light, God for ever and ever. Amen. (ICEL; 1998)
OFFERTORY HYMN
COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Let us begin the new this day.
Praising our God, who here on earth
Kept us in quietness and mirth!
Oh, like the glad New Year, may we
Wholly renewed this day be,
Praising our God eternally!
Child of our love, O Jesus dear,
Thou who art still our Savior here:
Thee do we pray with all our heart,
Nevermore leave us nor depart!
Save us from war, from hate, from fear;
Keep us in peace together here.
Grant us a tranquil, joyous year!
Gladly together then will we,
O highest God of heaven, to Thee
Bring through the year our songs of praise,
And evermore through endless days
Here while on earth our time shall be.
And then through all eternity
Singing with joyful hearts to Thee!