THE GOSPEL
Midnight and Christmas Day
Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 1-14 and John, Chapter 1, Verses 1-18
The time came for Mary to have her child,
and she gave birth to her first born son.
In
those days
a decree went out.
Joseph went up to Bethlehem with Mary.
She gave birth to her firstborn son.
And the Word
was made
flesh.
Lord God,
you made your home
among
us
All
is holy now,
each blade of grass.
Each
one.
We dance with the stars!
We sing our song with the angels!
Glory to God in the highest and peace
on earth and good will
to all.
THE FIRST READING
Midnight
Isaiah, Chapter 9, Verses 1-6
You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing.
We were in darkness At long last we have light.
The yoke smashed and broken.
So is the taskmaster’s rod.
Mary birthed her son.
Upon his shoulders authority rests.
His dominion is vast and forever peaceful—
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Look at the names they give him: Wonder-Counselor,
God-Hero, Father-Forever
Prince of Peace.
Jesus.
Come,
let us adore him
THE SECOND READING
Christmas Dawn and Christmas Day
Titus, Chapter 3, Verses 4-7 and Hebrews, Chapter 1, Verses 1-6
For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are my son; this day I have I begotten you”?
To
our ancestors
God spoke in partial and various ways.
Then,
God spoke directly through his Son who is the imprint of
his being, the radiance of his glory, through whom he
created the universe and the one who sustains
all things by his word. Oh yes, he took
down the wall when he brought
his firstborn into the world
and said to the babe
in the manger,
“You are my son; this day I have begotten you.”
O God, let us listen, help us hear.
Copyright © 2008, The Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.