The Nativity of Our Lord - Second Mass at Dawn
Introit
Isaiah 9:2,6
A light shall shine upon us this day: for the Lord is born to us: and He shall be called Wonderful, God, the Prince of Peace, the Father of the world to come: of whose reign there shall be no end. Ps. The Lord hath reigned, He is clothed with beauty: the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded Himself. V. Glory be to the Father.
Collect
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we, upon whom is poured the new light of Thy Word made flesh, may show forth in our actions that which by faith shineth in our minds. Through the same our Lord.
Epistle
Titus 3:4-7
Dearly beloved, the goodness and kindness of God our Saviour appeared: not by the works of justice which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us by the laver of regeneration and renovation of the Holy Ghost, whom He hath poured forth upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour: that, being justified by His grace, we may be heirs according to hope of life everlasting: in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Gradual
Psalm 117:26,27,23
Blessed be He that cometh in the name of the Lord: the Lord is God, and He hath shone upon us. This is the Lord’s doing: and it is wonderful in our eyes.
Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia. V. The Lord hath reigned, He is clothed with beauty: the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded Himself with power. Alleluia.
Gospel
Luke 2:15-20
At that time the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath showed to us. And they came with haste: and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. And seeing they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child. And all that heard wondered: and at those things that were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Offertory
Psalm 92:1-2
God hath established the world, which shall not be moved: Thy throne, O God, is prepared from of old; Thou art from everlasting.
Secret
May our offerings, we beseech Thee, O Lord, be in keeping with the mysteries of this festival of the Nativity, and ever pour down upon us peace: that even as He who was born Man shone forth also as God, so may this earthly substance bestow upon us that which is divine. Through the same our Lord.
Communion
Zach. 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Sion, shout for joy, O Daughter of Jerusalem: behold thy King comes, holy, the Saviour of the world.
Postcommunion
May this sacrament, Lord, give us always the freshness of new life, for Your marvellous Birth has defeated man’s helplessness. Through the same our Lord.