Solemnity
of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Vigil
Mass
FIRST READING: Isaiah 62: 1 - 5
1
For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for the sake of
Jerusalem, I will not rest till her just one come forth as
brightness, and her saviour be lighted as a lamp.
2
And the Gentiles shall see thy just one, and all kings thy glorious
one: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the
Lord shall name.
3
And thou shalt be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a
royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
4
Thou shalt no more be called Forsaken: and thy land shall no more be
called Desolate: but thou shalt be called My pleasure in her, and thy
land inhabited. Because the Lord hath been well pleased with thee:
and thy land shall be inhabited.
5
For the young man shall dwell with the virgin, and thy children shall
dwell in thee. And the bridegroom shall rejoice over the bride, and
thy God shall rejoice over thee.
4
I have made a covenant with my elect: I have sworn to David my
servant:
5
Thy seed will I settle for ever. And I will build up thy throne unto
generation and generation.
16
Blessed is the people that knoweth jubilation. They shall walk, O
Lord, in the light of thy countenance:
17
And in thy name they shall rejoice all the day, and in thy justice
they shall be exalted.
27
He shall cry out to me: Thou art my father: my God, and the support
of my salvation.
29
I will keep my mercy for him for ever: and my covenant faithful to
him.
16
Then Paul rising up, and with his hand bespeaking silence, said: Ye
men of Israel, and you that fear God, give ear.
17
The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the
people when they were sojourners in the land of Egypt, and with an
high arm brought them out from thence,
22
And when he had removed him, he raised them up David to be king: to
whom giving testimony, he said: I have found David, the son of Jesse,
a man according to my own heart, who shall do all my wills.
23
Of this man's seed God according to his promise, hath raised up to
Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
24
John first preaching, before his coming, the baptism of penance to
all the people of Israel.
25
And when John was fulfilling his course, he said: I am not he, whom
you think me to be: but behold, there cometh one after me, whose
shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
1
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son
of Abraham:
2
Abraham begot Isaac. And Isaac begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Judas and
his brethren.
3
And Judas begot Phares and Zara of Thamar. And Phares begot Esron.
And Esron begot Aram.
4
And Aram begot Aminadab. And Aminadab begot Naasson. And Naasson
begot Salmon.
5
And Salmon begot Booz of Rahab. And Booz begot Obed of Ruth. And Obed
begot Jesse.
6
And Jesse begot David the king. And David the king begot Solomon, of
her that had been the wife of Urias.
7
And Solomon begot Roboam. And Roboam begot Abia. And Abia begot Asa.
8
And Asa begot Josaphat. And Josaphat begot Joram. And Joram begot
Ozias.
9
And Ozias begot Joatham. And Joatham begot Achaz. And Achaz begot
Ezechias.
10
And Ezechias begot Manasses. And Manasses begot Amon. And Amon begot
Josias.
11
And Josias begot Jechonias and his brethren in the transmigration of
Babylon.
12
And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot Salathiel.
And Salathiel begot Zorobabel.
13
And Zorobabel begot Abiud. And Abiud begot Eliacim. And Eliacim begot
Azor.
14
And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot Eliud.
15
And Eliud begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Mathan. And Mathan begot
Jacob.
16
And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus,
who is called Christ.
17
So all the generations, from Abraham to David, are fourteen
generations. And from David to the transmigration of Babylon, are
fourteen generations: and from the transmigration of Babylon to
Christ are fourteen generations.
18
Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother
Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found
with child, of the Holy Ghost.
19
Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing
publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately.
20
But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord
appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not
to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her,
is of the Holy Ghost.
21
And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus.
For he shall save his people from their sins.
22
Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke
by the prophet, saying:
23
Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they
shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with
us.
24
And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had
commanded him, and took unto him his wife.
25
And he knew her not till she brought forth her firstborn son: and he
called his name Jesus.
OR
18
Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother
Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found
with child, of the Holy Ghost.
19
Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing
publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately.
20
But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord
appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not
to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her,
is of the Holy Ghost.
21
And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus.
For he shall save his people from their sins.
22
Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke
by the prophet, saying:
23
Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they
shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with
us.
24
And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had
commanded him, and took unto him his wife.
25
And he knew her not till she brought forth her firstborn son: and he
called his name Jesus.
Mass
at Midnight
FIRST READING: Isaiah 9: 1 - 6
1
At the first time the land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephtali was
lightly touched: and at the last the way of the sea beyond the Jordan
of the Galilee of the Gentiles was heavily loaded.
2
The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light: to them
that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen.
3
Thou hast multiplied the nation, and hast not increased the joy. They
shall rejoice before thee, as they that rejoice in the harvest, as
conquerors rejoice after taking a prey, when they divide the spoils.
4
For the yoke of their burden, and the rod of their shoulder, and the
sceptre of their oppressor thou hast overcome, as in the day of
Median.
5
For every violent taking of spoils, with tumult, and garment mingled
with blood, shall be burnt, and be fuel for the fire.
6
For a CHILD IS BORN to us, and a son is given to us, and the
government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called,
Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to
come, the Prince of Peace.
1
Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2
Sing ye to the Lord and bless his name: shew forth his salvation from
day to day.
3
Declare his glory among the Gentiles: his wonders among all people.
11
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, let the sea be
moved, and the fulness thereof:
12
The fields and all things that are in them shall be joyful. Then
shall all the trees of the woods rejoice
13
Before the face of the Lord, because he cometh: because he cometh to
judge the earth. He shall judge the world with justice, and the
people with his truth.
11
For the grace of God our Saviour hath appeared to all men;
12
Instructing us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we
should live soberly, and justly, and godly in this world,
13
Looking for the blessed hope and coming of the glory of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ,
14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,
and might cleanse to himself a people acceptable, a pursuer of good
works.
1
And it came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from
Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled.
2
This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria.
3
And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city.
4
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 family of David,
5
To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.
6
And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were
accomplished, that she should be delivered.
7
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.
8
And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping
the night watches over their flock.
9
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.
10
And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people:
11
For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in
the city of David.
12
And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped
in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.
13
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly
army, praising God, and saying:
14
Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will.
Mass
at Dawn
FIRST READING: Isaiah 62: 11 - 12
11
Behold the Lord hath made it to be heard in the ends of the earth,
tell the daughter of Zion: Behold thy Saviour cometh: behold his
reward is with him, and his work before him.
12
And they shall call them, The holy people, the redeemed of the Lord.
But thou shalt be called: A city sought after, and not forsaken.
1
The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice: let many islands be
glad.
6
The heavens declared his justice: and all people saw his glory.
11
Light is risen to the just, and joy to the right of heart.
12
Rejoice, ye just, in the Lord: and give praise to the remembrance of
his holiness.
4
But when the goodness and kindness of God our Saviour appeared:
5
Not by the works of justice, which we have done, but according to his
mercy, he saved us, by the laver of regeneration, and renovation of
the Holy Ghost;
6
Whom he hath poured forth upon us abundantly, through Jesus Christ
our Saviour:
7
That, being justified by his grace, we may be heirs, according to
hope of life everlasting.
15
And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven,
the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and
let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed
to us.
16
And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the
infant lying in the manger.
17
And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them
concerning this child.
18
And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them
by the shepherds.
19
But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.
20
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the
things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Mass
During the Day
FIRST READING: Isaiah 52: 7 - 10
7
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth
good tidings, and that preacheth peace: of him that sheweth forth
good, that preacheth salvation, that saith to Sion: Thy God shall
reign!
8
The voice of thy watchmen: they have lifted up their voice, they
shall praise together: for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord
shall convert Sion.
9
Rejoice, and give praise together, O ye deserts of Jerusalem: for the
Lord hath comforted his people: he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
10
The Lord hath prepared his holy arm in the sight of all the Gentiles:
and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
1
Sing ye to the Lord anew canticle: because he hath done wonderful
things. His right hand hath wrought for him salvation, and his arm is
holy.
2
The Lord hath made known his salvation: he hath revealed his justice
in the sight of the Gentiles.
3
He hath remembered his mercy his truth toward the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4
Sing joyfully to God, all the earth; make melody, rejoice and sing.
5
Sing praise to the Lord on the harp, on the harp, and with the voice
of a psalm:
6
With long trumpets, and sound of comet. Make a joyful noise before
the Lord our king.
1
God, who, at sundry times and in divers manners, spoke in times past
to the fathers by the prophets, last of all,
2
In these days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed
heir of all things, by whom also he made the world.
3
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the figure of his
substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, making
purgation of sins, sitteth on the right hand of the majesty on high.
4
Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a
more excellent name than they.
5
For to which of the angels hath he said at any time, Thou art my Son,
today have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and
he shall be to me a Son?
6
And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he
saith: And let all the angels of God adore him.
1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God.
2
The same was in the beginning with God.
3
All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that
was made.
4
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5
And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not
comprehend it.
6
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7
This man came for a witness, to give testimony of the light, that all
men might believe through him.
8
He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light.
9
That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh
into this world.
10
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world
knew him not.
11
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12
But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons
of God, to them that believe in his name.
13
Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the
will of man, but of God.
14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his
glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full
of grace and truth.
15
John beareth witness of him, and crieth out, saying: This was he of
whom I spoke: He that shall come after me, is preferred before me:
because he was before me.
16
And of his fulness we all have received, and grace for grace.
17
For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
18
No man hath seen God at any time: the only begotten Son who is in the
bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
OR
1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God.
2
The same was in the beginning with God.
3
All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that
was made.
4
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5
And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not
comprehend it.
9
That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh
into this world.
10
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world
knew him not.
11
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12
But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons
of God, to them that believe in his name.
13
Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the
will of man, but of God.
14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his
glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full
of grace and truth.
