24 and 25 December 2020
On Christmas Day in this extraordinary year we ignite the flame of the Christ light
– to celebrate Christ’s coming,
– to remind ourselves of Christ’s presence in our lives now
– to anticipate Christ’s coming in the future.
Follow the mass on this page by using the down arrows to open and close the sections.
If you prefer a printable PDF click on the link below.
Let us proceed in peace.
In the name of Christ. Amen
Prayers at the Advent Wreath
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Today we celebrate the gift of the Incarnation, Emmanuel, God with us. We celebrate the birth of Christ who is the Light of the World—a Light no darkness can extinguish. Christ’s Light can enter any darkness and as members of the Body of Christ, we live in the Light of Christ.
Loving God, we thank you for your mystery of the Incarnation—Emmanuel, God with us. Help us receive the Light of Christ in our hearts and share it generously and joyfully in our families and communities. We ask this in the name of the one born in Bethlehem, Jesus our Lord. Amen
Blessing of the crib
Let us pray.
God of every nation and people, from the very beginning of creation you have made manifest your love: when our need for a Saviour was great you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. To our lives he brings joy and peace, justice, mercy, and love.
Lord, bless this crib and bless all who look upon this manger; may it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise our thoughts to him, who is God-with-us and Saviour of all, and who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Introductory rites
Entrance Antiphon
Let us all rejoice in the Lord, for our Saviour has been born in the world.
Today true peace has come down to us from heaven.
Greeting
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The grace and peace of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
Liturgy of the word
Greeting of Peace
We are the body of Christ.
God’s Spirit is with us.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours
may be acceptable to God, the Father almighty.
May the Lord accept our sacrifice
for the praise and glory of God’s name,
for our good, and the good of all God’s holy Church.
Communion rite
Communion Antiphon John 1.14
The Word became flesh: and we have seen his glory.
Prayer after Communion
Let us pray.
God of heaven, dwelling among us,
we thank you for feeding us with this holy food.
By your grace keep us ever faithful
to your Word made flesh
that as the body of Christ in the world
we may bring your presence to all people.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessing and Dismissal
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
May the God of infinite goodness,
who by the incarnation of his Son has driven darkness from the world
and by that glorious Birth has illumined this most holy night,
drive far from you the darkness of vice
and illumine your hearts with the light of virtue. Amen.
And may God, who wills that the great joy
of his Son’s saving Birth
be announced to shepherds by the Angel,
fill your minds with the gladness he gives
and make you heralds of his Gospel. Amen.
And may God, who by the Incarnation
brought together the earthly and heavenly realm,
fill you with the gift of his peace and favour
and make you sharers with the Church in heaven. Amen.
And the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
come down on you and remain with you for ever. Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
We wish you all a joyful and peaceful Christmas. Enjoy these beautiful images of the nativity from artists across the centuries
Photography by Fr Lawrence Lew.
And for a rousing welcome to the Christ Child here is Steeleye Span with Gaudete.
1 Comment
Thank you
Beautiful collection