The Nativity of the Lord Christmas Vigil Mass December 24

Glory to God in the Highest

Our Lady of the Valley Christmas Eve Family Mass Introduction

Youth Reader:______________________________________ Good evening. As we begin the celebration of this great feast of the birth of our Loud. I wish to welcome all of you who have come to celebrate here at Our Lady of the Valley parish community. We would also like to welcome those who are guests from out of town or from other parishes. It is wonderful to have you with us. We extend a special word of welcome to our military, and our college students home for the holidays. It is a joy to see your faces among us. And of course, we rejoice in all those here whose faces we see each week. It is good for everyone to be here together to celebrate the love of God revealed in the gift of the word incarnate. Please, participate in the singing and responses of this celebration. Keep in mind, we are not celebrating something that happened along time ago and far away. Christmas is a festival of something that happened here and now. And like the birth of any child, the birth of Christ comes with responsibilities; to feed, to clothe, and to shelter Christ wherever our Lord is found. For unto us a child is born!

Entrance Procession

The cantor directs the assembly to stand Cross Bearer, Candle Bearers, Water Bearer, Lector, Presider Entrance Song - O Come All Ye Faithful Music stops when presider reaches the front of the creche. Reader Begins Youth reader:________________________________________ As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ we take time to bless this Christmas manger scene. St Francis of Assisi began the practice of building such managers to teach and spread the message of Christmas. Continued - When we look upon this scene, the Christmas gospel comes alive we are moved to rejoice in the mystery of the Son of God coming to us as an earthly child. Listen to this message according to Luke: The shepherds said to one another: Let us go to Bethlehem and see this event which the Lord Has made known to us. The shepherds hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and they saw the baby lying in a manger.

Blessing of the Manger

Presider:

Instrumental music Away in the Manger begins and played softly the entire Blessing of the Manger. We praise you and we thank you, Father, Mighty Lord; to set us free, you sent Your only Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. A simple cave was his birthplace; the animals manger was his first cradle. Yet all the while the angels sang his glory to those who kept watch.

Presider blesses the manger with water Presider: Bless now this Christmas crib. Let it reveal to us once again the great love of our savior, and bring us with the Shepherds to give back to Him in true devotion all that we have- and even our very selves. All praise and Thanksgiving be yours, Father, through Jesus your Son truly human living with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. All: Presider: Amen Treasuring all that we have seen and heard here and pondering it within our hearts, let us Glorify and Praise God together as we go now to his alter.

Singing Away in the Manger begins now. Presider moves to the front of alter, all in procession pay reverence

Greeting
Presider: All: Presider: All: Presider:

Introductory Rites
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen May the Grace of God our Father, the Risen Lord Jesus, His Son, whose birth we celebrate this evening, and the Holy Spirit be with you all. And, also with you. My brothers and sisters, our time of waiting is ended. Our Advent is over. Listen...ParticipateSing.and enjoy, as we rejoice and celebrate the Lords presence among us.

Sprinkling Rite
Presider:

Presider and Servers move to the Baptismal font. Dear friends, this water will be used to remind us of our Baptism. Let us ask God to bless it, and to keep us faithful to the Spirit He has given us. God our Father, Your gift of water brings us life to the earth; It washes away our sins. We ask you now to bless this water and give us your protection on this day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. All: Amen

Presider slowly sprinkles the assembly while choir sings Rain Down

Opening Prayer Liturgy of the Word First Reading

Isaiah 9: 2-4, 6-7 Lector:__________________________________

Responsorial Psalm Second Reading

Today Is Born Our Savior

Titus 3: 4-6

Lector:_________________________________

Gospel Acclamation! Gospel

Alleluia & Acclamation

Luke 2: 1-14

Narrator:_________________________________ Innkeepers:____________________________________________________________ Joseph:___________________________Mary:________________________________ Angel:____________________________ Shepherds and Multitude of Angels Narrator will ask the assembly to please be seated Narrator: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke. Reenacted by our Youth. 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 Davids town of Bethlehem, because he was of the house and linage of David- to register to with Mary, his espoused wife, who was with child. First knock at the door: Innkeeper: Joseph: Mary: Im sorry but we are closed Please Sir, my wife is in labor and is going to have a baby soon. Sir, can we please have a room, I fear that I am going to have my baby soon. No, I am sorry, but because of the census we have no room.

Innkeeper

Mary and Joseph walk to the next Inn Second Knock at the door: Joseph: Innkeeper: Joseph: Innkeeper: Hello Sir,If you are looking for a room, we do not have any. Did you not see the No Vacancy sign? But Sir, my wife! I am sorry about your wife, but we just have no room.

Mary and Joseph walk to the next Inn Innkeeper: Yes?

Joseph: Innkeeper: Joseph: Mary: Narrator:

Please can you be kind enough and give us a room. Our child is about to be born. I do not have any rooms available. But considering the situation, Ill let you use the shelter out back thats used for a stable. May God bless you, and we thank you. Thank you, our family is forever grateful to you. While they were there the days of the confinement were completed. Mary gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him in a swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them where the travelers lodged. There were shepherds in the locality, living in the fields and keeping night watch by turns over their flocks. The Angel of the Lord appeared to them as the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were frightened. The angel said to them.

Angel:

You have nothing to fear! I come to proclaim good news to you, tidings of great joy to be shared by all people. This day in Davids 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 cloths. And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

Narrator:

The Gloria is now sung by the choir Narrator: The Gospel of the Lord

Homily Creed

General Intercessions
Reader___________________________________ Presider: Reader: Reader: With confidence and joy, let us prey to the God who delights and rejoices in the Children of Earth. Our response will be Prince of Peace hear us. For the church here and throughout the world, that our worship and praise may proclaim Christ, the light of the world, we pray to the Lord: Prince of Peace, hear us For people of every race and nation, that the celebration of the Prince of Peace encourage justice and peace, we pray to the lord: Prince of Peace, hear us. For all who long for the healing presence of Jesus, that they know that presence in their hearts, we pray to the Lord: Prince of Peace, hear us. For all who are hungry or homeless, that our care for them in this season continues throughout the year, we pray to the Lord: Prince of Peace, hear us. For men and women at war, that they may find themselves out of harms way, not only in this season of peace but through out the New Year, we pray to the Lord: Prince of Peace, hear us. For this community, that, by our love for one another and our outreach to the unloved, we may may proclaim that God is Emmanuel, God-with-us, we pray to the Lord: Prince of Peace, hear us. Lord, God, You brought joy to the world by the birth of Your Son. By this gift of everlasting love and truth shape our lives; hear our prayers and lead us closer to You. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ Emmanuel, God with us.

Reader:

Reader: Reader:

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Presider:

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Preparation of the alter and the Presentation of the Gifts

Song: O Come Little Children As the song is sung, the collection is taken. A family will carry the gifts of bread and wine

Gift Bearers: ________________________ ________________________

_____________________________ _____________________________

Prayer over the Gifts Holy Memorial Acclamation Great Amen Lords Prayer Sign of Peace Lamb of God Communion
Song: Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, What Child is This

Prayer after Communion Greeting Blessing Dismissal Closing Song - Joy to the World, We Wish You a Merry Christmas
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