Christmas Proclamation

Preparation

[When the Ministers have lined up in the center of the church the CM says:]

CM       On this day, 2004 years ago,
             Jesus, our Savior, was born.
             Shepherds came to worship him;
             they led a procession to the (BELEN) (Crib)
             which we continue today.
             O Come All Ye Faithful!
             Rejoice and celebrate!

All        O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL. [2 verses max.]

[The Ministers proceed towards the Sanctuary. The Gospel Bearer places the Book of Gospels on the Altar as usual. All bow to the Altar. The Readers, followed by the Servers - equipped with Thurible and Incense - go to the Crib.]

Sign of the Cross

Greeting

Sisters and brothers in Christ:
"Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good news;
a message of peace and joy is given to the whole world.

Today in the city of David
a Savior is born to you who is Jesus Christ, the Lord."
May the peace and joy of the newborn child
be with you all.

The Blessing of the Crib

[The Presider places incense in the Thurible and incenses the Crib.
He then bless it and the Assembly in these or similar words:]

P      Let us pray.

We praise and thank you, Lord, God of the nations.
To set us free, you sent your only Son
to be born of the Virgin Mary.

A lowly cave was his birth-place;
the animal's manger was his first cradle.
Yet all the while the angels sang out his glory.

God of Mary and Joseph,
of shepherds and animals,
bless + us whenever we gaze on this (BELEN) (Crib).

Through all the days of Christmas
may this crib tell the story
of how shepherds and wise men,
angels and animals,
found Christ in Bethlehem.

All praise and thanksgiving be yours, Father,
through Jesus your Son,
truly God and truly human,
living and reigning with you and the Holy Spirit,
now and forever. AMEN.

 

CM   Let us KNEEL and worship the Child Jesus in silent prayer.

[After a suitable pause e.g. ½ minute, the CM requests everyone to stand]

CM   Please STAND.

Treasuring all that we have seen and heard
and pondering it within our hearts,
let us glorify and praise God with the angels and the shepherds.

[The Ministers go to their places in the Sanctuary while the following hymn is sung]

Choir.  Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
            Say what may the tidings be which inspire your heav'nly song?

Assembly   GLO-RI-A IN EXCELSIS DE-O
                  GLO-RI-A IN EXCELSIS DE-E-O. (x2)

[The GLORY TO GOD is omitted because of the emphasis given to the GLORIA
in the procession and later in proclamation of the Gospel]

Opening Prayer

Option A   Taken from Eucharistic Liturgies
In joyful celebration of the message of peace and joy
let us pray: [pause]

Father we thank you for the 'magic' of Christmas,
this special moment of gladness and joy
when we celebrate all the beauty of being human.
We thank you for the message of peace
which you speak to us in your Son.
You are not afraid to become one of us,
to reach out and touch those you have called your own.
And we need not be afraid of you,
for you are a God
who is pleased to make your home with us.
We sing your praise with all the peoples of our world,
for you are our God,
today and everyday, forever and ever. AMEN.

Option B (ICEL 1997)
Good and gracious God,
on this holy night you gave us your Son,
the Lord of the universe, wrapped in swaddling clothes,
the Savior of all, lying in a manger.

On this holy night
draw us into the mystery of your love.
Join our voices with the heavenly host,
that we may sing your glory on high.
Give us a place among the shepherds,
that we may find the one for whom we have waited,
Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
in the splendor of eternal light,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading: Is 9:1-7

Responsorial Psalm:

'Let Heaven Rejoice' by Bob Dufford SJ

CM        Tonight we join the whole of creation as we sing:

Ref.        Let heaven rejoice and earth be glad;
               let all creation sing.
               Let children proclaim through every land:
               "Hosanna to our King."

           2. Rise in splendor; shake off your sleep;
               put on your robes of joy,
               And in the morning you shall
               see the glory of the Lord. Ref

          3. Nations tremble, wise men amazed,
              a child has been born this night.
              Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
              a Father, Prince of Peace. Ref

          4. Songs of angels, "Glory on high,
              and peace to all on earth.
              I bear glad tidings; born this day,
              your Savior and your God" Ref

The Second Reading may be omitted if there are time constraints.

CM       Please remain SEATED for the Alleluia and Gospel!

Celtic Alleluia! :

Alleluia!
"I bring you news of great joy,
joy for all the nations,
For today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord."
Alleluia!

THE CHRISTMAS GOSPEL

[Two texts in this Gospel will be sung, viz, PAPURI SA DIYOS... N'YA
i.e. GLORY TO GOD… PEACE... ON EARTH
and ANGELS WHO HAVE HEARD ON HIGH.
The message of the Angel can be spoken by someone stationed in the sacristy]

[Legend: P. = Presider; N. = Narrator; A. = Angel; Cr. = Choir; Ay = Assembly]

P.     A PROCLAMATION OF THE GOOD NEWS
        ACCORDING TO LUKE [Luke 2.1-20]

N.    In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus
        that all the world should be registered.
        This was the first registration
        and was taken while Quirinius was Governor of Syria.
        All went to their own towns to be registered.
        Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee
        to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem,
        because he was descended from the house and family of David.
        He went to be registered with Mary,
        to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.

       While they were there,
       the time came for her to deliver her child.
       And she gave birth to her firstborn son
       and wrapped him in bands of cloth,
       and laid him in a manger,
       because there was no place for them in the inn.

       In that region there were shepherds living in the fields,
       keeping watch over their flock by night.
       Then an angel of the Lord stood before them,
       and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
       and they were terrified.
       But the angel said to them:

A.   Do not be afraid, for you see...
       I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:
       to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
       who is the Messiah, the Lord.
      This will be a sign for you:
      you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth
      and lying in a manger.

[Presider goes to Sacristy, picks up the image of Infant Jesus, joins the children
and leads them to the Belen. He places the image there and waits there
until the end of the Gospel. ]

N.   And suddenly there was with the angel
       a multitude of heavenly host,
       praising God and saying,

      Ay Papuri sa Diyos, Papuri sa Diyos,
      or Opening verse of the GLORIA
      Papuri sa Diyos sa kaitaasan.
      At sa lupa'y lupa'y kapaypaan,
      at sa lupa'y lupa'y kapaypaan,
      sa mga taong kinalulugdan N'ya.

      N.   When the angels had left them and gone into heaven,
             the shepherds said to one another:

      Cr.  Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing.
             Come adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

      Ay   GLO-RI-A IN EXCELSIS DE-O.
             GLO-RI-A IN EXCELSIS DE-E-O.

      N.   So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph,
             and the child lying in the manger.

             When they saw this,
             they made known what had been told
             to them about this child:
             and all who heard it were amazed
             at what the shepherds had told them.

             But Mary treasured all these words
             and pondered them in her heart.
             The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
             for all they had heard and seen,
             as it had been told.

      N.   THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD.        

Homily

Credo

Before the beginning of the CREDO the CM advises the assembly
that they should KNEEL after the words '
....BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY'

CM is the first to kneel down at the appointed time.
After a suitable pause, e.g. ½ minute, the
CM says: PLEASE STAND.
The Credo continues, 'He suffered....'

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
[SAMBUHAY and other sources]

P         On this holy (night) (day),
            let us ask Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Mary,
            to intercede for us.

             With confidence we pray:

CM     Lord, bless your people! (Please repeat)

1. Prince of Peace,
   at your birth the angels announce the Good News to the shepherds.
   Fill our world, torn by division, hatred and wars,
   with tidings of reconciliation and peace. We pray:
   
2. Emmanuel, you make your dwelling among us.
   Bless all the families of our parish,
   especially those that are suffering at this time.
   We pray:
   
3. Divine Shepherd,
   you lead the shepherds to the manger.
   Bless our religious and political leaders.
   Make them humble and responsible stewards of your people.
   We pray:
4. Divine Messiah,
   many still do not know you.
   Let the Good News of your coming
   resound throughout the world
   so that people will hear the comforting
   words of hope and salvation.
   We pray:

[The Presider may add a Petition that is local / relevant]

P      Father of Jesus,
        hear these prayers that we have made to Jesus,
        your Son and our Lord. AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

Loving Father,
your gift of your Son, Jesus,
showed us what it is to be human.
May the offering of our gifts today
make us fully alive and fully human,
like Jesus, your newborn Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
god forever and ever. AMEN

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER #2

Introductory Dialogue

Preface

Father, all powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today you fill our hearts with joy
as we recognize in Christ the revelation of your love.
No eye can see his glory as our God,
yet now he is seen as one of us.

Christ is your Son before all ages,
yet now he is born in time,
He has come to lift up all things to himself,
to restore unity to creation,
and to lead humankind from exile
into your heavenly kingdom.

With all the angels who sang on that first Christmas night
we sing our joyful hymn of praise.

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Lord you are holy indeed.
you are the fountain of all holiness.

[Christmas and its Octave:
We gather here together before you
in communion with the whole church,
and we celebrate the most holy (night) (day)
when Mary, in her glorious virginity,
gave birth to the Savior of the world.
Through him, our Redeemer and our Lord, we pray:]


Send down your Spirit upon these gifts
to make them holy
that they may become for us
the body + and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Before he was given up to death,
a death he freely accepted,
he took bread and gave you thanks;
he broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT:
THIS IS MY BODY WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

When supper was ended, he took the cup;
again he gave you thanks,
gave the cup to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT:
THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT.
IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL
SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

A.     Great is the mystery of faith.
        Christ has died,
        Christ is risen,
        Christ will come again.

B.     Praise to you, Lord Jesus.
        Dying you destroyed our death,
        rising you restored our life.
        Lord Jesus, come in glory.

C.    Christ is the bread of life.
        When we eat this bread and drink this cup,
        we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus,
        until you come in glory.

D.    Jesus Christ is Lord.
       Lord, by your cross and resurrection
       you have set us free.
       you are the Savior of the world.

Remembering, therefore, his death and resurrection,
we offer you, Lord God,
this life-giving bread, this saving cup.
We thank you for counting us worthy
to stand in your presence and serve you.
We pray that all of us
who share in the body and blood of Christ
may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.

Lord, remember your Church throughout the world:
perfect us in love
together with N. our Pope,
and N. our Bishop,
with all bishops, priests, and deacons
and all who minister to your people.

Remember our brothers and sisters
who have gone to their rest
in the sure hope of rising again:
bring them and all who have died in your mercy
into the light of your presence.

Have mercy on us all:
make us worthy to share eternal life,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles and with all the saints,
who have found favor with you throughout the ages;
in union with them
may we praise you and give you glory
through your Son, Jesus Christ.

Through him, with him, in him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father,
forever and ever. AMEN.

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

The Son of God became a child among us
that we might become children of God
who dare to say / sing: Our Father ...

Deliver us Lord

Deliver us, Father, from all that is evil,
from fear and darkness and despair.
Keep us faithful in proclaiming
your tidings of great joy and peace.
Make us one in your Spirit
as we wait in hope for the second coming
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus, at your birth the angels sang:
'Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to all people on earth.'
(Yet conflict still continues in Palestine -
the land where you were born.
Enable us to continue the struggle for peace
in our own land - the Philippines -
and throughout the world.)
Grant to us who have heard the message of the angels
the peace and unity were you live forever and ever.

May the peace and joy of the Risen Lord be always with you.

Exchange of Peace
"Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and his name is called the Prince of Peace."
Let us share that peace in our blessing of one another.

LAMB OF GOD.....

Invitation to Communion

This is Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Mary.
He is our God-with-us.
Blessed are we who are called to receive him.

Lord, I am not worthy…

Prayer after Communion

Glory to you, our God, in the highest heaven!
With angels and shepherds,
with Mary and Joseph,
and with all people of good will
who long for peace,
we thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus.
As guests at his table,
let us become with him your gift
and your sign of hope to a waiting world.
We make our prayer through the same Christ our Lord. AMEN

Blessing

Option A
May the joy of the angels,
the enthusiasm of the shepherds,
the obedience of Joseph and Mary,
and the peace of the Christ child
be yours this Christmas. AMEN.

Option B
God sent angels to the shepherds
to herald the great joy of our Savior's birth.
May you be filled with joy
and be heralds of his Gospel. AMEN.

And the blessing of almighty God +
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and your families forever. AMEN.

Dismissal

[The Presider says in these or similar words]

"A child is born to us,
a son is given to us."
Let us go and share with our brothers and sisters
the peace and joy of the Child of Bethlehem.