Welcome back for our fourth blog on the liturgies for Christmas. This Mass During the Day is sometimes called the Theology Mass for the Nativity of the Lord. You will notice that these readings do not tell the Christmas story as explicitly as the readings for the other liturgies. Instead, we are uplifted to hear some of the most beautiful poetry in all of Scripture. In the First Reading, again from the prophet Isaiah, we marvel at the following glad tidings:
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!”
The Second Reading from the Letter to the Hebrews, the unknown author proclaims a hymn that celebrates God’s explicit self-revelation:
In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets. In these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son, whom he made heir of all things, and through whom he created the universe.
God no longer uses the veiled language of prophecy. God now speaks to us directly through his Word. And that Word is explicitly identified in the Prologue of John’s Gospel:
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God . . .
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only Son…
Jesus Christ is the Father’s only Son. He is the Word, God’s direct communication of self to the universe that God created and, indeed, to the people whom God loves. The soaring poetry of today’s readings is but a taste of the heightened language of God’s Word, who lifts us up from the weight of guilt brought about by sins we can’t seem to forgive in ourselves. When the Word took on flesh he became one of us to lead us from darkness into light – for he himself is the light of the world.
Christmas Day Entrance Antiphon A Child Is Born for Us, and a Son is Given to Us (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart, Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #21
The readings for this Mass do not explicitly proclaim the Christmas story but the meaning behind the story. It’s up to us pastoral musicians to proclaim the story in song. The Entrance Antiphon is taken from Isaiah chapter 9 which was the First Reading from Mass at Night: “A child is born for us, and a son is given to us; his scepter of power rests upon his shoulder, and his name will be called Messenger of great counsel.”
Entrance Chant O Come, All Ye Faithful (Traditional; arr. by Tom Booth)
Never Too Young #162; Breaking Bread 2026 #102
On this day, people certainly enjoy singing the Christmas carols. For our Entrance Chant, let’s sing “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” the traditional beloved carol as arranged by Tom Booth.
Responsorial Psalm All the Ends of the Earth Have Seen the Saving Power of God (Steve Angrisano)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 50
There are many settings of Psalm 98, the seasonal psalm for Christmas. Steve Angrisano offers a joyful setting of the verbatim Lectionary text.
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia: Mass of the Desert (Tom Booth)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 52
The acclamation text helps us to focus on the uplifting message of today’s Gospel.
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts Christ Our Light Has Come (Steve Angrisano and Curtis Stephan)
Breaking Bread 2026 #82
This relatively new contemporary Christmas song will offer good counterpoint to the traditional carols we sing during this season of joy.
Christmas Day Communion Antiphon All the Ends of the Earth Have Seen the Salvation of Our God (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart, Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #22
Once again, the Roman Missal utilizes Psalm 98 as a Christmas text for the liturgy.
Communion Chant Silent Night (Joseph Mohr and Franz X. Gruber; arr. by Tom Booth)
Spirit & Song #154; Never Too Young #163; Breaking Bread 2026 #84
Just because this is a Mass During the Day does not mean we can’t sing about that holy “Silent Night.” People expect to sing this beloved carol and be inspired by it.
Song of Praise We Adore (Sarah Hart and Scott Krippayne)
Spirit & Song #152
A poignant contemporary Christmas song that deserves to be widely sung.
Sending Forth Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Traditional)
Never Too Young #159; Breaking Bread 2026 #105
This iconic melody by Mendelssohn may very well be the most well-crafted hymn tune of all time! It’s a truly fitting song to celebrate the birth of our Savior.
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
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