Roman Missal (1962): The Nativity of Our Lord – Morning Mass
Introit
(Isa 9:2; 9:6)
A light shall shine upon this day: for the Lord is born to us: and He shall be called Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace: of Whose reign there shall be no end.
(Ps 92:1)
The Lord is King, in splendor robed; robed is the Lord and girt about with strength.
Glory Be to the Father…
A light shall shine upon this day: for the Lord is born to us: and He shall be called Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace: of Whose reign there shall be no end.
Collect
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that this new light of Your Incarnate Word which shines upon our minds by faith, may be reflected in our deeds.
Through the same Christ our Lord…
Epistle
Lesson from the letter of St. Paul the Apostle to Titus
(Titus 3:4-7)
Dearly beloved: When the goodness and kindness of God our Saviour appeared, then not by reason of good works that we did ourselves, but according to His mercy, He saved us through the bath of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit; Whom He has abundantly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Saviour, in order that, justified by His grace, we may be heirs in the hope of life everlasting, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Gradual
(Ps 117:26-27, 23)
Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord; the Lord is God, and He has given us light.
℣. By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. Alleluia, alleluia.
(Ps 92:1)
℣. The Lord is King, in splendor robed; robed is the Lord and girt about with strength. Alleluia.
Gospel
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
(Luke 2:15-20)
At that time, the shepherds were saying to one another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. So they went with haste, and they found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in the manger. And when they had seen, they understood what had been told them concerning this Child. And all who heard marveled at the things told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept in mind all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken to them.
Offertory
(Ps 92:1-2)
God has made the world firm, not to be moved. Your throne, O God, stands firm from of old; from everlasting You are.
Secret
May our gifts, we beseech You, O Lord, prove suitable for the celebration of this day’s nativity: may they incessantly lavish peace upon us, that, as He Who became man shone also with the brightness of the Godhead, so may these things of earth bring us those of God.
Through the same Christ our Lord…
Preface
(Nativity)
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, for through the Mystery of the Word made flesh, the new light of Thy glory hath shone upon the eyes of our mind, so that while we acknowledge God in visible form, we may through Him be drawn to the love of things invisible. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Throne and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:
Communion
(Zach 9:9)
Rejoice heartily, O daughter Sion, shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! See, your King shall come, a just Saviour of the world is He.
Postcommunion
May we be renewed continually by the ever new celebration of Christ’s birth, O Lord, Whose miraculous nativity has replaced the human order of olden times.
Through the same Christ our Lord…