Wednesday, 25 December 2024
The Nativity of our Lord
Antiphons and Readings on p. 115 of the Daily Missal.
First Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of their burden,
and the staff for their shoulder,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us, a child is born,
to us, a son is given;
and the government will be upon his shoulder,
and his name will be called
“Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom,
to establish it, and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 11-12, 13 (R. cf. Luke 2:11)
R/. To us is born this day a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
O sing a new song to the Lord;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
O sing to the Lord; bless his name.
Proclaim his salvation day by day.
Tell among the nations his glory,
and his wonders among all the peoples.
Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad;
let the sea and all within it thunder praise.
Let the land and all it bears rejoice.
Then will all the trees of the wood shout for joy
at the presence of the Lord, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice;
he will govern the peoples with his truth.
Second Reading: Titus 2:11-14
Gospel: Luke 2:1-14
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that all the world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrolment
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee,
from the city of Nazareth to Judea,
to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and lineage of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
And while they were there,
the time came for her to be delivered.
And she gave birth to her first-born son
and wrapped him in swaddling cloths,
and laid him in a manger
because there was no place for them in the inn.
And in that region there were shepherds out in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were filled with fear.
And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid;
for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy
which will come to all the people;
for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
who is Christ the Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths
and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”
The Gospel of the Lord.
