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Lectionary Readings for Christmas, Years A, B and C

Readings, Responsorial Psalm and Gospel
Mass at Midnight

Reading I, Is 9, 1-6

A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah
A son is given to us.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as
they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry
when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the
pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you
have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that
tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned
as fuel for flames.

For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder
dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-
Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever
peaceful, from David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he
confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and
forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm, Ps 96, 2-3. 11-12, 13. R. Lk 2, 11

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

1. Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all you lands.
Sing to the Lord; bless his name. R.

2. Announce his salvation, day after day,
Tell his glory among the nations;
Among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. R.

3. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult. R.

4. They shall exult before the Lord, for he comes;
for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy. R.

Reading II, Ti 2, 11-14

The Beginning of the Letter of Paul to Titus
God's grace has been revealed to all men.

The grace of God has appeared, offering salvation to all
men. It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly
desires, and live temperately, justly, and devoutly in
this age as we await our blessed hope, the appearing of
the glory of the great God and of our Savior Christ Jesus.
It was he who sacrificed himself for us, to redeem us from
all unrighteousness and to cleanse for himself a people of
his own, eager to do what is right.

The Word of the Lord.

Gospel, Lk 2, 1-14

Alleluia Lk 2, 10-11
R. Alleluia. Good News and great joy to all
the world: today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
R. Alleluia.


A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to Luke
Today a savior has been born for you.

In those days Caesar Augustus published a decree ordering
a census of the whole world. This first census took place
while Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone went to
register, each to his own town. And so Joseph went from the
town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to David's town in
Bethlehem - because he was of the house and the lineage of
David - to register with Mary, his espoused wife, who was
with child.

While they were there the days of her confinement were
completed. She gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped
him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because
there was no room for them in the place where travelers
lodged.

There were shepherds in the locality, living in the fields
and keeping night watch by turns over their flock. The angel
of the Lord appeared to them as the glory of the Lord shone
around them, and they were very much afraid. The angel said
to them: "You have nothing to fear! I come to proclaim good
news to you - tidings of great joy to be shared by the whole
people. This day in David's city a savior has been born to
you, the Messiah and Lord. Let this be a sign to you: in a
manger you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes."
Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly
host, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in high heaven,
peace on earth to those on whom his favor rests."

The Gospel of the Lord.


Readings, Responsorial Psalm and Gospel
Mass at during the Day

Reading I, Is 52, 7-10

A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah
All the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who
brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news,
announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, "Your God is
King!"

Hark! Your watchmen raise a cry, together they shout for
joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the Lord
restoring Zion. Break out together in Zion. Break out
together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the Lord
comforts his people, he redeems Jerusalem. The Lord has
bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all
the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our
God.

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm, Ps 98, 1. 2-3. 3-4. 5-6. R. v. 3

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

1. Sing to the Lord a new song;
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm. R.

2. The Lord has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel. R.

3. All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise. R.

4. Sing praise to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the Lord. R.

Reading II, Heb 1, 1-6

The Beginning of the Letter to the Hebrews
In our own time, God speaks to us through his Son.

In times past, God spoke in fragmentary and varied ways
to our fathers through the prophets; in this, the final
age, he has spoken to us through his Son, whom he has made
heir of all things and through whom he first created the
universe. This Son is the reflection of the Father's glory,
the exact representation of the Father's being, and he
sustains all things by his powerful word. When the Son had
cleansed us from our sins, he took his seat at the right
hand of the Majesty in heaven, as far superior to the
angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

To which of the angels did God ever say,

"You are my son; today I have begotten you"?

Or again,

"I will be his father, and he shall be my son"?

And again when he leads his first-born into the world, he
says,

"Let all the angels of God worship him."

The Word of the Lord.

Gospel, John 1-5, 9-14

Alleluia
R. Alleluia. A holy day has dawned upon us.
Come, you nations and adore the Lord. Today a great
light has come upon the earth. R. Alleluia.


A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to John
The Word was made flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory.

(Short form)

In the beginning was the Word; the Word was in God's
presence, and the Word was God. He was present to God in
the beginning. Through him all things came into being, and
apart from him nothing came to be. Whatever came to be in
him, found life, life for the light of men. The light
shines on in darkness, a darkness that did not overcome
it.

The real light which gives light to every man was coming
into the world.

He was in the world and through him the world was made,
yet the world did not know who he was. To his own he came,
yet his own did not accept him. Any who did accept him
he empowered to become children of God.

These are they who believe in his name - who were begotten
not by blood, nor by carnal desire, nor by man's willing it,
but by God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and
we have seen his glory: the glory of an only Son coming from
the Father, filled with enduring love.

The Gospel of the Lord.


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