The following are the English propers (“the readings”) for this Mass. The English of the fixed, ordinary parts of the Mass are available for a Low Mass, High Mass and Solemn Mass.
There is a Commemoration of a Day in the Octave of Christmas
Introitus
Ps 8:3
Out of the mouths of babes and of sucklings, O God, You have fashioned praise because of Your foes.
Ps 8:2
O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is Your name over all the earth!
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Out of the mouths of babes and of sucklings, O God, You have fashioned praise because of Your foes.
Collect
Let us pray.
O God, Whose praise the Innocents, Your martyrs, this day proclaimed, not by speaking, but by dying, put to death in us all the wickedness of sin, so that Your faith which our tongue professes may be proclaimed also by our life.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
R. Amen.
Let us pray.
For Octave of Nativity
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the new birth, in the flesh, of Your only-begotten Son may deliver us whom the bondage of old keeps under the yoke of sin.
Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
Lesson
Lesson from the book of Revelation
Apoc 14:1-5
In those days, I saw the Lamb standing upon Mount Sion, and with Him a hundred and forty-four thousand having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like a voice of many waters, and like a voice of loud thunder; and the voice that I heard was as of harpers playing on their harps. And they were singing as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except those hundred and forty-four thousand, who have been purchased from the earth. These are they who were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were purchased from among men, first-fruits unto God and unto the Lamb, and in their mouth there was found no lie; they are without blemish before the throne of God.
R. Thanks be to God.
Gradual
Ps 123:7-8
We were rescued like a bird from the fowlers’ snare.
V. Broken was the snare, and we were freed. Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. Alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 112:1
V. Praise the Lord, you children, praise the name of the Lord. Alleluia.
Gospel
Continuation ✠ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 2:13-18
At that time, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph, saying, Arise, and take the Child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and remain there until I tell you. For Herod will seek the Child to destroy Him. So he arose, and took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew into Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod; that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called My Son. Then Herod, seeing that he had been tricked by the Magi, was exceedingly angry; and he sent and slew all the boys in Bethlehem and all its neighborhood who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had carefully ascertained from the Magi. Then was fulfilled what was spoken through Jeremias the prophet. A voice was heard in Rama, weeping and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be comforted, because they are no more.
R. Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
S. By the words of the Gospel may our sins be blotted out.
Offertorium
Ps 123:7
We were rescued like a bird from the fowlers’ snare. Broken was the snare and we were freed.
Secreta
Let not the gracious prayer of Your saints fail us, O Lord, but may it make our offerings acceptable to You and obtain for us Your mercy.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
R. Amen.
For Octave of Nativity
Make holy the sacrificial gifts we offer, O Lord, and by the new birth of Your only-begotten Son cleanse us from the stains of our sins.
Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
Prefatio
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:
There is a proper Communicantes for Christmas
Communicating, and keeping this most holy day, on which the spotless virginity of blessed Mary brought forth a Saviour to this world; and also reverencing the memory first of the same glorious Mary, ever Virgin, Mother of the same our God and Lord Jesus Christ: as also of the blessed Joseph, her Spouse,
Communio
Matt 2:18
A voice was heard in Rama, weeping and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be comforted, because they are no more.
Postcommunio
Let us pray.
We have partaken, O Lord, of the dedicated gifts: may they , we beseech You, help us through the intercession of Your saints both for this life and life eternal.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
R. Amen.
Let us pray.
For Octave of Nativity
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the Saviour of the world, born this day, Who is the author of our birth in godliness, may bestow on us immortal life.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
R. Amen