P. COMM. Sumptis. Having received what has been offered to thee, O Lord, grant, we beseech thee, that the more frequently we partake of these cred mysteries, the more our devotion may in crease. For the rest of the Postcommunions see p. 4. CHRISTMAS EVE. INTROIT. Exod. xvi. This day you shall know, that the Lord will come, and save us and in the morning you shall see his glory. Ps. 23. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof: the world, and all that dwell therein. V. Glory. COLLECT. Deus qui nos. O God, who mak This is the only Collect, unless it be Sunday, when a EPISTLE. Rom. i. 1, 6. Paul a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, which he had promised before by his prophets in the holy scriptures, concerning his Son, who was made to him of the seed of David according to the flesh; who was predestinated the Son of God in power according to the spirit of sanctification, by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead; by whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith in all nations for his name, among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ. will come and save us, and in the morning you shall see his glory. V. Thou who rulest Israel, hearken, thou who leadest Joseph like a sheep: thou who sittest on the 22 CHRISTMAS EVE. Cherubim, shew thyself to Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasses. [If it be Sunday add Alleluia, Alleluia V. To-morrow the sins of the earth shall be cancel led, and the Saviour of the world shall reign over us. Alleluia. her GOSPEL. Matt. i. 18, 20. When Mary the mother of Jesus was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Ho ly Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph son, of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Ho ly Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son: thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins. and OFFERT. Ps. 23. Lift up your gates, O princes: and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates, and the King of glory shall enter in. SECRET. Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that as we celebrate the eve of the adorable birth of thy Son, we may one day receive with joy his eternal rewards. Who liveth. COMM. Is. xl. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see the salvation of our God. P. COMM. Grant us, we beseech thee, O Lord, relief by celebrating the birth of thy only Son, whose sacred mysteries are our meat and drink. Thro'. CHRISTMAS. On this solemn Festival three Masses are sung of said, to represent to us that Christ by his nativity came into the world to save, 1. Those who were be fore the Law: 2. Those who were under the Law: 3. Those under the Gospel. By these three Masses the Church likewise honors a threefold Nativity of Christ 1. His eternal generation and Nativity, born from all eternity and before all time of his Father: 2. His nativity and generation in time according to his human nature, being born of the Blessed Virgin Mary: 3. His spiritual birth by grace in the Bouls of the just. CHRISTMAS. I. Mass. At Midnight. INTROIT. Ps. ii. The Lord hath said to me: Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. Ps. Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things? V. Glory. COLLECT. Deus, qui hanc. O God, who hast enlightened this most sacred night by the brightness of him who is the true light; grant, we beseech thee, that we who have known the mysteries of this light on earth, may likewise come to the enjoyment of it in heaven. Who liveth. EPISTLE. Tit. ii 11, 15. Dearly beloved: The grace of God our Saviour hath appeared to all men. Instructing us, that denying ungodliness, and worldly desires, we should live soberly, and justly, and godly, in this world, looking for the blessed hope, and coming of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and might cleanse to himself a people acceptable, a pursuer of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. GRAD. Ps. cix. With thee is the principality in the day of thy strength: in the brightness of the saints: from the womb before the day-star I begot thee. V. The Lord said to my Lord: Sit thou at my right hand: until I make thy enemies thy footstool. Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Ps. ii. The Lord hath said to me: Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. Alleluia. that in those days that there went out a deeree from GOSPEL. Luke ü. 1, 14. And it came to pass Jesus Cæsar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first made by Cy rinus the governor of Syria. And all went to be en rolled, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethle hem; because he was of the house and family David, to be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child. And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds watching and keep ing the night watches over their flock. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the bright ness of God shone round about them, and they feared with a great fear. And the angel said to them: Fear not for behold I bring to you good tidings great joy, that shall be to all the people: for this day is born to you a SAVIOUR, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be asign unto you: you shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. And sud denly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good-will. THE CREED. OFFERT. Ps. xcv. Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad in the presence of the Lan}, for that he is come. SECRET. Receive, O Lord, the offerings we make to thee on this present solemnity, that by thy grace, through the intercourse of these sacred mys teries, we may be conformable to him, in whom our nature is united to thine. Who liveth. COMM. Ps. cix. In the brightness of the saints from the womb before the day-star I begot thee. P. COMM. Da nobis. Grant, we beseech thee. Old our God, that we who celebrate with joy the II. MASS. At break of day. INTROIT. Is. ix. A light shall shine upon us this day: because the Lord is born for us: and his name shall be the WONDERFUL ONE, 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. Glory. COLLECT. Da nobis. Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that, as we are enlightened by the new light of thy Word become flesh, we may shew in our actions the effects of that faith that shineth in our minds. Thro' the saine. COLLECT of St. Anastasia. Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that as we celebrate the solemnity of blessed Anastasia thy martyr, we may be sensible of the effects of her prayers to thee in our behalf. Thro'. EPISTLE. Tit. iii. 4, 7. Most 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, thro' Jesus Christ our Lord. in the name of the Lord. The Lord is our God, and GRAD. Ps. cxviii. Blessed be He that cometh he hath shone upon us, 12 V. This is the Lord's do |