∫ [Music Playing] ∫
∫ O Come, All Ye Faithful, Joyful and Triumphant, ∫
∫ O Come Ye, O Come Ye to Bethlehem. ∫
∫ Come and Behold Him, Born the King of Angels, ∫
∫ O Come, Let Us Adore Him, O Come, Let Us Adore Him, ∫
∫ O Come, Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord. ∫
∫ Sing, Choirs of Angels, Sing, in Exultation, ∫
∫ Sing, All Ye Citizens of Heaven Above. ∫
∫ Glory to God, All Glory in the Highest, ∫
∫ O Come, Let Us Adore Him, O Come, Let Us Adore Him, ∫
∫ O Come, Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord. ∫
∫ Yea, Lord, We Greet Thee, Born This Happy Morning, ∫
∫ Jesus, to Thee Be All Glory Given, ∫
∫ Word of the Father, Now in Flesh Appearing; ∫
∫ O Come, Let Us Adore Him, O Come, Let Us Adore Him, ∫
∫ O Come, Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord. ∫

In the Name of the Father,
And the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
–Amen.

Peace be with you.
–And with your spirit.

A Blessed Christmas to you all.

It’s a wonderful opportunity for us, as we celebrate
In these first hours of Christmas Day,
To listen to the Gospel that gives us
The story of the Shepherds.

They’re the first ones who hear the news,
And in many ways, they give us, then,
An example of how we are to receive
This Christmas Day and how it is to make
A difference in our lives.

So let us be open to that Word of God and once again
Find that the Lord is rich in mercy
As we call upon the forgiveness of our sins.

You are the Good Shepherd
Who never leaves the flock unattended.
Lord, have mercy.
–Lord, have mercy.

You are Son of God and Son of Mary.
Christ, have mercy.
–Christ, have mercy.

You are Word made Flesh
And Splendor to the Father.
Lord, have mercy.
–Lord, have mercy.

May Almighty God have mercy on us,

Forgive us all of our sins,
And bring us to life everlasting.

Amen.

∫ [Music Playing] ∫
∫ Glory to God in the Highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of good will. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the Highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of good will. ∫
∫ We praise You. ∫
∫ We bless You. ∫
∫ We adore You. ∫
∫ We glorify You. ∫
∫ We give You thanks for Your great glory. ∫
∫ Lord God, Heavenly King, O God, Almighty Father, ∫
∫ Glory to God in the Highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of good will. ∫
∫ Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, ∫
∫ Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ have mercy on us. ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ receive our prayer. ∫
∫ You are seated at the right hand of the Father. ∫
∫ Have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the Highest,

∫ And on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ For You alone are the Holy One. ∫
∫ You alone are the Lord. ∫
∫ You alone are the Most High, ∫
∫ Jesus Christ; ∫
∫ With the Holy Spirit in the Glory of God the Father, ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ And on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ Amen. ∫

Let us pray.

Grant, we pray, Almighty God,
That as we are bathed in the new radiance of Your Incarnate Word,
The light of faith which illumines our minds
May also shine through in our deeds.
Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You in the unity
Of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.

Amen.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.

“See, the Lord proclaims to the ends of the earth:
Say to Daughter Zion, your Savior comes.
Here is His reward with Him,
His recompense before Him.
They shall be called the Holy People,”

The redeemed of the Lord,
And you shall be called frequented,
A city that is not forsaken.”
The word of the Lord.
-thanks be to God.
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ a light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ the Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ The Lord is King. ∫
∫ Let the earth rejoice. ∫
∫ Let the many isles be glad. ∫
∫ The heavens proclaim His justice, ∫
∫ And His people see His glory, see His glory. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ Light dawns for the just, ∫
∫ And gladness for the upright of heart. ∫
∫ Be glad in the Lord, you just, ∫
∫ And give thanks to His Holy Name. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫

∫ [Music playing] ∫

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to Titus.

Beloved, when the kindness and generous love of God our Savior appeared,
Not because of any righteous deeds we had done,
But because of His mercy, He saved us through
The bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
Whom He richly poured out on us through
Jesus Christ, our Savior,
So that we might be justified by His grace and become
Heirs in the hope of eternal life.

The Word of the Lord.

-thanks be to God.
∫ [Music playing] ∫

∫ Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. ∫
∫ Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the Highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests. ∫
∫ Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. ∫

The Lord be with you.
-and with your spirit.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.
-glory to you, O Lord.

When the angels went away from them to Heaven,
the shepherds said to one another,
“Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing
that has taken place which the Lord has made known to us.”

So they went in haste
and found Mary and Joseph, and the Infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this, they made known the message
that had been told them about this Child.

All who heard it were amazed.

By what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
For all they had heard and seen,
Just as it had been told to them.

The Gospel of the Lord.
–Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Again, a blessed Christmas to all of you and your families,
Especially those who are participating
In this Mass through television.
We want to, in a special way, offer our expression
Of solidarity to people who are homebound,
Who are in hospitals, who are sick,
Who have a difficult time leaving their home
In order to celebrate Mass today.
We’re with you in this Eucharist
And in your suffering, that you’re not alone.

It’s quite interesting that the Church gives us
The shepherds as the first ones
Who hear the news of the birth of the Savior,
And in that way they serve as a model for how
All Christians should celebrate
And begin to understand what this mystery
Of the Lord’s birth is all about.

There are a number of things about these shepherds
That would deserve our attention.
The first thing is that shepherds have to work together.
They, in many ways, have a lot of different
Dangers and perils and threats and moments of jeopardy
In which they’re living out in the field,
And wild animals can come and take their sheep.
And so they have to coordinate a way of security,
A way in which they’re going to keep safe their flocks.

And so they’ve learned how to work together
And also to take up the task of herding their sheep
In a direction that keeps them moving.
And so when we hear that their first response
Is together to go in haste to Bethlehem
To see what has been told them,
It is, I think, a good image for all of our Christian life
That one thing that we should never underestimate the value of
Is the unity of our Church.

The first mark of the Church, as we say,
Is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic—unity.
And it is about making sure that we understand
That we walk together,
That we’re fellow pilgrims along the way.

I think it’s important for us to keep that in mind
In these days in which there are pilgrims and migrants
Who are trying to, in some way, seek a better life so often.
And we, too, are like them,
Especially being an immigrant nation.

But we’re also migrants and we’re also pilgrims
In the sense of those who are here on this earth
In a temporary way.
We’re just passing through,
Because we know that our final destination, our final home,
Is the one to which God calls us in the Kingdom.

And so for us to cultivate a sense of who we really are,
We are co-responsible for each other
As we are pilgrims along the way.
We’re taking care of each other
To make sure that no one’s left behind.

That is an image that Pope Francis, and now Pope Leo,
Has asked us to look upon as an image for the Church.

That we’re, as he calls it, a Synodal Church,
Which is a Greek word that means “walking together.”

The more that we have a sense
That we are co-responsible for each other,
The more healthy we’re going to be as we take up
The demands of the Gospel in our time.

And that is why it’s important for us
To care for those who may be limping along in life,
Who stray, who go at a slower pace,
Who have difficulties because of their injuries and woundedness,
That we look for a way in which we help them along the way,
No matter their status.

The second thing that we notice
Is that when they come to Bethlehem,
They tell their story.
They tell what has been told them
But also how it has impacted them.

That’s so important as well for us,
Because the Gospel that we read here in the Bible
Really is a foundational text, but it’s not the final text
Of Good News, because the Good News is replayed
In every one of our stories.

Each one of us has a story to tell about
How God has made a difference in our life.

I often tell grandparents especially who worry
About whether or not the practice of the Faith
In their family is going to end with them,
And they see that maybe their children and grandchildren
Don’t practice as fervently as they do.

It’s important for grandparents especially
To sit down with their grandchildren and tell them
Why the Faith has made such a difference in their life,
How it has shaped the person they are,
And what value it has held for them.

Because each one of us has a Gospel story of conversion to tell.
Each one of us has something to share with others,
Just as the shepherds did when they told their story.

One of the practices that our family had on Christmas morning
Was that we would all sing at Mass in the morning.
It was the Croatian Mass,
And we’d sing Croatian songs and so on.

But then afterward my father would load us
All into the car with a bunch of other people,
And we would go Christmas caroling,
Especially to people who were unable

To get out of their house and who were homebound.
And that way it was our moment of sharing the Gospel,
Sharing the Christmas story with others,
Singing those carols, letting them know that the Gospel
Made a difference in our lives
As we raised our voices in praise of God.

That’s what the shepherds teach us,
To really be confident and to take seriously
The fact that your lives matter,
That there is a story of the Gospel
That’s told in a fresh way,
Just as these shepherds told the Good News
From their own perspective and their own life,
To really value our lives
As a place in which the Gospel is made new.

And the final thing that we see
Is that they go back by a different way,
Very much like the Magi that we hear in the Gospel of Matthew.
It is a symbol of metanoia, which is a word that means
Turning around, going back, having a conversion.

And so Christmas should be an opportunity for us
To take the next step in our faith journey.
You know, in the Gospel of Luke,
There’s nothing more pernicious to the Christian life
And spirituality than the conviction that you’ve arrived,
That you have reached your maximum of what it means
In your spiritual life to be a Christian.

Every Christmas should be an opportunity
For us to say, “Okay, what’s next?
How do I come back home from Christmas
In the New Year in a different way?
What is it that Christmas has done to change my life?”

Because in fact, these shepherds,
As they’re going back home,
Do exactly the same thing the Angels did.
They left rejoicing and praising God.

So how is it that in our own context of our lives
We can have the kind of change that makes us like those Angels,
That makes us those who praise God in the world,
That makes God present in the world
Through our telling of the story?

So in many ways today,
As we come to celebrate Christmas,
This is an opportunity for us

To look at these shepherds as a good example for ourselves.
To remind ourselves that we’re all pilgrims.
We’re all migrants as we pass through
This time and this space of this earth,
Because this is not our final home,
And that we should be co-responsible for each other.

And finally, that as we tell our story,
That we believe that God takes our lives seriously,
And that we can in fact come home changed.
We can allow this Christmas feast
To make a difference in our life,
Reminding ourselves that God is not done with us yet.
And there is another chapter to be written
For each one of our lives.

Please stand with me now.
As we profess the faith that binds us together,
And as the normal practice is, the usual practice
We have on Christmas Day, when we come to those words
That He came down from Heaven by the Holy Spirit,
It was incarnate that we take a moment and bow our heads
To recognize that Christmas is here today for us as well.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of Heaven and Earth,
Of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
The Only Begotten Son of God,
Born of the Father before all ages,
God from God, Light from Light,
True God from True God,
Begotten, not made,
Consubstantial with the Father;
Through Him all things are made.

For us men and for our salvation,
He came down from Heaven, and by the Holy Spirit
Was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man.
For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
He suffered death and was buried,
And rose again on the third day
In accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into Heaven
And is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
His Kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son,
He is adored and glorified.
He has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I look forward to the Resurrection of the dead
And the life of the world to come.
Amen.

Prompted by the Word of God and knowing the needs
In our own families and the world,
We now offer these prayers.
Our response to each prayer will be,
“Lord, hear our prayer.”

For our Church leaders,
Especially our Holy Father, Pope Leo,
And our Cardinal Blasé Cupich,
Who is here celebrating the Eucharist with us today,
May the Birth of our Savior continue to guide them
As they lead us through this most joyous time.
We pray to the Lord.
—Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who are unable to be with
Family and friends on this day of great joy,
May they be comforted by the presence
And unconditional love of our Lord.
We pray to the Lord.
—Lord, hear our prayer.

For the members of the Mercy Home community,
Children, coworkers, and benefactors,
May they continue to answer the Lord’s call
To act with justice, to love tenderly,
To serve one another,
And to walk humbly with Christ.
We pray to the Lord.

-Lord, hear our prayer.
For all people who are victims of violence,
War and poverty, may the birth of our Lord
Be their shining ray of hope
In this time of darkness in their lives.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who are suffering serious illnesses
And for those who lovingly care for them,
May they be uplifted by our prayers and comforted
By the healing peace of Christ throughout this holy season.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who have been called home to the Lord,
May their family members and friends be comforted
In knowing they rest in the peace
Of the Lord’s eternal Kingdom.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

And friends, I would ask you to keep in mind
And pray for this day
Those young men and women who serve in our military,
Especially those who are in harm’s way
And away from their home,
That the Lord will protect them and bring them home safely.
And we remember as well first responders,
That they each day may come home safely.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

Father, time and again you have heard us in our need,
So we are confident that you will gather
All of these petitions into your providence
Through Christ our Lord.
-amen.

∫ [Music playing] ∫
∫ [Music playing] ∫
∫ Once in royal David’s city ∫
∫ Stood a lowly cattle shed, ∫
∫ Where a Mother laid her Baby in a manger for His bed. ∫

∫ Mary was that mother mild; ∫
∫ Jesus Christ, her little child. ∫
∫ He came down to earth from Heaven ∫
∫ Who is God and Lord of all, ∫
∫ And His shelter was a stable, and His cradle was a stall. ∫
∫ With the poor and meek and lowly ∫
∫ Lived on earth our Savior Holy. ∫
∫ For He is our childhood’s pattern, ∫
∫ Day by day like us He grew; ∫
∫ He was little, weak, and helpless, ∫
∫ Tears and smiles like us He knew. ∫
∫ And He feels for all our sadness, ∫
∫ And He shares in all our gladness. ∫
∫ And our eyes at last shall see Him, ∫
∫ Through His own redeeming love; ∫
∫ For that Child so dear and gentle ∫
∫ Is our Lord in Heaven above. ∫
∫ And He leads His children on ∫
∫ To the place where He is gone. ∫

Pray, my sisters and brothers, that my sacrifice and yours
Will be acceptable to God, the Father Almighty.

– May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands
For the praise and glory of His Name,
For our good and the good of all His Holy Church.

May our offerings be worthy, we pray, O Lord,
Of the mysteries of the Nativity this day,
That just as Christ was born a Man
And also shown forth as God,
So these earthly gifts may confer on us what is Divine.
Through Christ our Lord.

– Amen.

The Lord be with you.
– And with your spirit.

Lift up your hearts.
– We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
– It is right and just.

It is truly right and just, our duty, our salvation,
Always and everywhere to give You thanks.

Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God,
Through Christ Our Lord.
For through Him, the holy exchange that restores our life
Has shown forth today in splendor.
When our frailty is assumed by Your Word,
Not only does human mortality receive unending honor,
But by this wondrous union, we too are made eternal.
And so, in company with the Choirs of Angels,
We praise You and with joy we proclaim.

∫ [Music playing] ∫
∫ Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Hosts, ∫
∫ Heaven and Earth are full of Your Glory. ∫
∫ Hosanna in the Highest, ∫
∫ Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. ∫
∫ Hosanna in the Highest. ∫

To You therefore, Most Merciful Father,
We make humble prayer and petition through Jesus Christ,
Your Son, Our Lord, that You accept
And bless these gifts, these offerings,
These holy and unblemished sacrifices,
Which we offer You firstly for Your Holy Catholic Church.
Be pleased to grant her peace, to guard, unite, and govern her
Throughout the whole world,
Together with Your servant Leo, our Pope,
Me, Your unworthy servant, and all those who, holding
To the truth, hand on the Catholic and Apostolic Faith.

Remember, Lord, Your servants and all gathered here,
Whose faith and devotion are known to You.
For them we offer You this sacrifice of praise,
Or they offer it for themselves
And all who are dear to them,
For the redemption of their souls,
In hope of health and well-being,
And paying their homage to You,
The Eternal God, Living and True.

Celebrating the most Sacred Night,
On which the Blessed Mary, the Immaculate Virgin,

Brought forth the Savior into this world,
And in communion with those whose memory we venerate,
Especially with the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
And of our Lord Jesus Christ,
And Joseph, her spouse,
Along with your Apostles and Martyrs,
With Peter and Paul, and Andrew, James and John,
Thomas, James and Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Simon and Jude, Linus and Cletus,
Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian,
Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul,
Cosmas and Damian, and all the Saints.

We ask that through their merits and prayers,
In all things we may be defended by your protecting help.

Therefore, Lord, we pray,
Graciously accept this oblation of our service,
That of your whole family; order our days in your peace,
And command that we be delivered from eternal damnation
And counted among the flock of those you have chosen.

Be pleased, we pray, to bless and acknowledge
And approve this offering in every respect.
Make it spiritual and acceptable,
So that it may become for us the Body and Blood
Of your most beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the day before he was about to suffer,
He took bread in his holy and venerable hands,
And with eyes raised to Heaven,
To you, O God, his almighty Father,
Giving you thanks, he said the blessing

Broke the bread, gave it to his disciples,
Saying, “take this, all of you, and eat of it,
For this is my body, which will be given up for you.”
In a similar way, when supper was ended,
He took this precious chalice in his holy and venerable hands.
And once more, giving you thanks,
He said the blessing and gave the chalice
To his disciples, saying,
“Take this, all of you, and drink from it,
For this is the chalice of my blood,
The blood of the new and eternal covenant,
Which will be poured out for you and for many
For the forgiveness of sins.
Do this in memory of me.”
The Mystery of Faith.
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ when we eat this bread and drink this cup, ∫
∫ we proclaim your death, o Lord, ∫
∫ until you come again. ∫
Therefore, Lord, as we celebrate the memorial
Of the blessed passion, the resurrection from the dead,
And the glorious ascension into heaven of Christ,
Your son, our Lord, we are servants in your Holy people.
Offer to your glorious majesty
From the gifts that you have given us,
This pure victim, this Holy victim,
This spotless victim, the Holy bread of eternal life
And the chalice of everlasting salvation.
Be pleased to look upon these offerings
With a serene and kindly countenance
And to accept them, as once you were pleased
To accept the gifts of your servant Abel, the just,
The sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith,
And the offering of your high priest, Melchizedek,
A holy sacrifice, a spotless victim.
In humble prayer, we ask you, almighty God,
Command that these gifts be borne by your hands,
By hands of your holy angel to your altar in high,
In the sight of your divine majesty,
So that all of us who through this participation
At the altar receive the most holy body and blood
Of your son may be filled with every grace and blessing.
Remember also, Lord, your servants,
Who have gone before us with a sign of faith
And rest in the sleep of peace.
Grant them, Lord, we pray, and all who sleep in Christ,
A place of refreshment, light, and peace.
To us also, your servants, who, those sinners,
Hope in your abundant mercies,
Graciously grant some share and fellowship
With your holy apostles and martyrs,
With John the Baptist and Stephen, Matthias and Barnabas,
Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, and Peter,
Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes,
Cecilia, Anastasia, and all the saints.
Admit us, we beseech you, Lord, into their company,
Not counting our merits, but granting us your pardon,
Through whom you continue to make
All these things good things, Lord.
You sanctify them, fill them with life,
You bless them and bestow them upon us.
Through him, with him, and in him,
O God, almighty father,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
All glory and honor is yours,
Forever and ever.
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ amen, amen, amen ∫
At the savior’s command,
Informed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us the day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses.
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
Graciously grant peace in our days,
That by the help of your mercy,
We may be always free from sin,
And safe from all distress,
As we await the blessed hope
And the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
Now and forever.
Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles,
“peace I leave you, my peace I give you,”
Look not on our sins,
But on the faith of your church,
And graciously grant her peace and unity
In accordance with your will,
Who live and reign forever and ever.
-amen.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
-and with your spirit.
Share that peace with each other.
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ Lamb of God, ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world: ∫
∫ have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Lamb of God, ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world: ∫
∫ have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Lamb of God, ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world: ∫
∫ grant us peace. ∫

Behold the Lamb of God.
Behold Him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the Supper of the Lamb.

Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof,
but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.

∫ [Music playing] ∫

∫ O come, Divine Messiah! ∫
∫ The world in silence waits the day ∫
∫ when hope shall sing its triumph, ∫
∫ and sadness flee away. ∫
∫ Dear Savior, haste! ∫
∫ Come, come to earth. ∫
∫ Dispel the night and show Your face, ∫
∫ and bid us hail the dawn of grace. ∫
∫ O come, Divine Messiah! ∫
∫ The world in silence waits the day ∫
∫ when hope shall sing its triumph, ∫
∫ and sadness flees away. ∫
∫ O come, Desired of nations, ∫
∫ whom priest and prophet long foretold. ∫

∫ come, break the captive fetters, ∫
∫ redeem the long-lost road. ∫
∫ dear savior, haste! ∫
∫ come, come to earth. ∫
∫ dispel the night and show your face, ∫
∫ and bid us hail the dawn of grace. ∫
∫ o come, divine messiah! ∫
∫ the world in silence waits the day ∫
∫ when hope shall sing its triumph, ∫
∫ and sadness flee away. ∫
∫ o come in peace and meekness, ∫
∫ for lowly will your cradle be: ∫
∫ though clothed in human weakness we shall your Godhead see. ∫
∫ dear savior, haste! ∫
∫ come, come to earth. ∫
∫ dispel the night and show your face, ∫
∫ and bid us hail the dawn of grace. ∫
∫ o come, divine messiah! ∫
∫ the world in silence waits the day ∫
∫ when hope shall sing its triumph, ∫
∫ and sadness flee away. ∫
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ cold are the people, ∫
∫ winter of life, ∫
∫ we tremble in shadows this cold endless night. ∫
∫ flowers in the snow lie roses sleeping, ∫
∫ flowers that will echo the sunrise. ∫
∫ fire of hope is our only warmth; ∫
∫ weary, its flame will be dying soon. ∫
∫ voice in the distance, ∫
∫ call in the night, ∫
∫ on wind you enfold us, ∫
∫ you speak of the light. ∫
∫ gentle on the ear you whisper, softly, ∫
∫ rumors of a dawn so embracing. ∫
∫ breathless love awaits darkened souls. ∫
∫ soon will we know of the morning. ∫
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ silent night, holy night! ∫
∫ all is calm, all is bright ∫
round you are a virgin mother and child. ∫
∫ holy infant so tender and mild, ∫
∫ sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. ∫
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ silent night, ∫
∫ holy night! ∫
∫ shepherds’ quake at the sight; ∫
∫ glorious stream from heaven afar; ∫
∫ heavenly hosts sing alleluia! ∫
∫ Christ the savior is born! ∫
∫ Christ the savior is born! ∫
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ silent night, ∫
∫ holy night! ∫
∫ son of God, love’s pure light ∫
∫ radiant beams from thy holy face ∫
∫ with the dawn of redeeming grace, ∫
∫ Jesus, Lord at thy birth, ∫
∫ Jesus, Lord at thy birth, ∫
Let us pray.
Grant us, Lord, as we honor with joyful devotion.
The nativity of your son,
That we may come to know with fullness of faith
The hidden depths of this mystery,
And to love them evermore and more
Through Christ our Lord.
-amen.
Bow your heads for God’s blessing.
May the God of the infinite goodness,
Who by the incarnation of his son
Has driven darkness from the world,
By that gracious birth,
Has illumined this most holy day.
Drive away from you the darkness of vice
And illumine your hearts with the light of virtue.
-amen.
May God who willed that the great joy
Of his son’s saving birth be announced
To shepherds by the angel,
Fill your minds with the gladness he gives
And make you heralds of his gospel.
-amen.
And may God who by the incarnation
Brought together the earthly and heavenly realm
Fill you with the gift of his peace and favor
And make you sharers with the church in heaven.
-amen.
And may the blessing of almighty God,
The father, the son, the Holy Spirit,
Come upon you and remain with you forever.
-amen.
Let us go in peace.
The mass has ended.
-thanks be to God.
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ angels we have heard on high ∫
∫ sweetly singing o’er the plains, ∫
∫ and the mountains in reply ∫
∫ echo back their joyous strains. ∫
∫ gloria in excelsis deo. ∫
∫ gloria in excelsis deo. ∫
∫ shepherds, why this jubilee? ∫
∫ why your joyous strains prolong? ∫
∫ say what may the tiding be ∫
∫ which inspire your heavenly song. ∫
∫ gloria in excelsis deo. ∫
∫ gloria in excelsis deo. ∫
∫ come to Bethlehem and see ∫
∫ him whose berth the angels sing; ∫
∫ come, adore on bended knee ∫
∫ Christ the Lord, the newborn king. ∫
∫ gloria in excelsis deo. ∫
∫ gloria in excelsis deo. ∫
What better way to wish all of you a merry Christmas
Then simply by saying merry Christmas.
I hope that you and your family, your friends, your loved ones,
All those that you are gathered with
As you listen to this Christmas message
Have an absolutely wonderful, beautiful, and merry Christmas.
You know, during the four weeks of advent,
As we prepared ourselves for the celebration
Of this wonderful feast, the words that echo through
The advent season are maranatha, come Lord Jesus.
The name Emmanuel that reminds us that God is with us
In every moment of our lives.
It all comes together on Christmas eve
And on Christmas day.
When God so loved the world, God so loved you,
That he sent his son, his son who teaches us
How to best live our lives, how to share that love
Through discipleship with one another,
How we’re all called in God’s creation
To enhance and make better this world in which we live.
That’s how the kingdom of God has come
And will continue to build through your goodness
Through your prayers, through your reaching out
To sister and brother in need.
That’s what Christ taught us.
That’s so much what the Christmas season is all about.
Please pray for all the young people here at mercy home
Entrusted to our care.
Pray for my co-workers, the backbone of this organization
That I love dearly.
And I promise that I will pray for you
And for your family members.
Merry Christmas and God bless you.
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ it came upon midnight clear, ∫
That glorious song of old, ∫
∫ from angels bending near the earth ∫
∫ to touch their harps of gold: ∫
∫ peace on the earth good will to all, ∫
∫ from heaven’s all-gracious king. ∫
∫ the world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing. ∫
∫ still through the cloven skies they come ∫
∫ with peaceful wings unfurled ∫
∫ and still their heavenly music floats. ∫
∫ o’er all the weary world, ∫
∫ above its sad and lonely plains ∫
∫ they bend on hovering wings. ∫
∫ and ever o’er its babel sounds, a blessed angels sing. ∫
∫ for lo! The days are hastening on… ∫
The music for the broadcast of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home
Is generously provided by GIA Publications Incorporated
And its world library publications division.
∫ …when peace shall over all the earth ∫
∫ its ancient splendors fling, ∫
∫and all the world gives back the song ∫
∫ which now the angels sing. ∫

∫ [Music Playing] ∫
∫ O Come, All Ye Faithful, Joyful and Triumphant, ∫
∫ O Come Ye, O Come Ye to Bethlehem. ∫
∫ Come and Behold Him, Born the King of Angels, ∫
∫ O Come, Let Us Adore Him, O Come, Let Us Adore Him, ∫
∫ O Come, Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord. ∫
∫ Sing, Choirs of Angels, Sing, in Exultation, ∫
∫ Sing, All Ye Citizens of Heaven Above. ∫
∫ Glory to God, All Glory in the Highest, ∫
∫ O Come, Let Us Adore Him, O Come, Let Us Adore Him, ∫
∫ O Come, Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord. ∫
∫ Yea, Lord, We Greet Thee, Born This Happy Morning, ∫
∫ Jesus, to Thee Be All Glory Given, ∫
∫ Word of the Father, Now in Flesh Appearing; ∫
∫ O Come, Let Us Adore Him, O Come, Let Us Adore Him, ∫
∫ O Come, Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord. ∫

In the Name of the Father,
And the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
–Amen.

Peace be with you.
–And with your spirit.

A Blessed Christmas to you all.

It’s a wonderful opportunity for us, as we celebrate
In these first hours of Christmas Day,
To listen to the Gospel that gives us
The story of the Shepherds.

They’re the first ones who hear the news,
And in many ways, they give us, then,
An example of how we are to receive
This Christmas Day and how it is to make
A difference in our lives.

So let us be open to that Word of God and once again
Find that the Lord is rich in mercy
As we call upon the forgiveness of our sins.

You are the Good Shepherd
Who never leaves the flock unattended.
Lord, have mercy.
–Lord, have mercy.

You are Son of God and Son of Mary.
Christ, have mercy.
–Christ, have mercy.

You are Word made Flesh
And Splendor to the Father.
Lord, have mercy.
–Lord, have mercy.

May Almighty God have mercy on us,

Forgive us all of our sins,
And bring us to life everlasting.

Amen.

∫ [Music Playing] ∫
∫ Glory to God in the Highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of good will. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the Highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of good will. ∫
∫ We praise You. ∫
∫ We bless You. ∫
∫ We adore You. ∫
∫ We glorify You. ∫
∫ We give You thanks for Your great glory. ∫
∫ Lord God, Heavenly King, O God, Almighty Father, ∫
∫ Glory to God in the Highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of good will. ∫
∫ Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, ∫
∫ Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ have mercy on us. ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ receive our prayer. ∫
∫ You are seated at the right hand of the Father. ∫
∫ Have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the Highest,

∫ And on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ For You alone are the Holy One. ∫
∫ You alone are the Lord. ∫
∫ You alone are the Most High, ∫
∫ Jesus Christ; ∫
∫ With the Holy Spirit in the Glory of God the Father, ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ And on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ Amen. ∫

Let us pray.

Grant, we pray, Almighty God,
That as we are bathed in the new radiance of Your Incarnate Word,
The light of faith which illumines our minds
May also shine through in our deeds.
Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You in the unity
Of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.

Amen.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.

“See, the Lord proclaims to the ends of the earth:
Say to Daughter Zion, your Savior comes.
Here is His reward with Him,
His recompense before Him.
They shall be called the Holy People,”

The redeemed of the Lord,
And you shall be called frequented,
A city that is not forsaken.”
The word of the Lord.
-thanks be to God.
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ a light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ the Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ The Lord is King. ∫
∫ Let the earth rejoice. ∫
∫ Let the many isles be glad. ∫
∫ The heavens proclaim His justice, ∫
∫ And His people see His glory, see His glory. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ Light dawns for the just, ∫
∫ And gladness for the upright of heart. ∫
∫ Be glad in the Lord, you just, ∫
∫ And give thanks to His Holy Name. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫

∫ [Music playing] ∫

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to Titus.

Beloved, when the kindness and generous love of God our Savior appeared,
Not because of any righteous deeds we had done,
But because of His mercy, He saved us through
The bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
Whom He richly poured out on us through
Jesus Christ, our Savior,
So that we might be justified by His grace and become
Heirs in the hope of eternal life.

The Word of the Lord.

-thanks be to God.
∫ [Music playing] ∫

∫ Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. ∫
∫ Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the Highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests. ∫
∫ Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. ∫

The Lord be with you.
-and with your spirit.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.
-glory to you, O Lord.

When the angels went away from them to Heaven,
the shepherds said to one another,
“Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing
that has taken place which the Lord has made known to us.”

So they went in haste
and found Mary and Joseph, and the Infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this, they made known the message
that had been told them about this Child.

All who heard it were amazed.

By what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
For all they had heard and seen,
Just as it had been told to them.

The Gospel of the Lord.
–Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Again, a blessed Christmas to all of you and your families,
Especially those who are participating
In this Mass through television.
We want to, in a special way, offer our expression
Of solidarity to people who are homebound,
Who are in hospitals, who are sick,
Who have a difficult time leaving their home
In order to celebrate Mass today.
We’re with you in this Eucharist
And in your suffering, that you’re not alone.

It’s quite interesting that the Church gives us
The shepherds as the first ones
Who hear the news of the birth of the Savior,
And in that way they serve as a model for how
All Christians should celebrate
And begin to understand what this mystery
Of the Lord’s birth is all about.

There are a number of things about these shepherds
That would deserve our attention.
The first thing is that shepherds have to work together.
They, in many ways, have a lot of different
Dangers and perils and threats and moments of jeopardy
In which they’re living out in the field,
And wild animals can come and take their sheep.
And so they have to coordinate a way of security,
A way in which they’re going to keep safe their flocks.

And so they’ve learned how to work together
And also to take up the task of herding their sheep
In a direction that keeps them moving.
And so when we hear that their first response
Is together to go in haste to Bethlehem
To see what has been told them,
It is, I think, a good image for all of our Christian life
That one thing that we should never underestimate the value of
Is the unity of our Church.

The first mark of the Church, as we say,
Is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic—unity.
And it is about making sure that we understand
That we walk together,
That we’re fellow pilgrims along the way.

I think it’s important for us to keep that in mind
In these days in which there are pilgrims and migrants
Who are trying to, in some way, seek a better life so often.
And we, too, are like them,
Especially being an immigrant nation.

But we’re also migrants and we’re also pilgrims
In the sense of those who are here on this earth
In a temporary way.
We’re just passing through,
Because we know that our final destination, our final home,
Is the one to which God calls us in the Kingdom.

And so for us to cultivate a sense of who we really are,
We are co-responsible for each other
As we are pilgrims along the way.
We’re taking care of each other
To make sure that no one’s left behind.

That is an image that Pope Francis, and now Pope Leo,
Has asked us to look upon as an image for the Church.

That we’re, as he calls it, a Synodal Church,
Which is a Greek word that means “walking together.”

The more that we have a sense
That we are co-responsible for each other,
The more healthy we’re going to be as we take up
The demands of the Gospel in our time.

And that is why it’s important for us
To care for those who may be limping along in life,
Who stray, who go at a slower pace,
Who have difficulties because of their injuries and woundedness,
That we look for a way in which we help them along the way,
No matter their status.

The second thing that we notice
Is that when they come to Bethlehem,
They tell their story.
They tell what has been told them
But also how it has impacted them.

That’s so important as well for us,
Because the Gospel that we read here in the Bible
Really is a foundational text, but it’s not the final text
Of Good News, because the Good News is replayed
In every one of our stories.

Each one of us has a story to tell about
How God has made a difference in our life.

I often tell grandparents especially who worry
About whether or not the practice of the Faith
In their family is going to end with them,
And they see that maybe their children and grandchildren
Don’t practice as fervently as they do.

It’s important for grandparents especially
To sit down with their grandchildren and tell them
Why the Faith has made such a difference in their life,
How it has shaped the person they are,
And what value it has held for them.

Because each one of us has a Gospel story of conversion to tell.
Each one of us has something to share with others,
Just as the shepherds did when they told their story.

One of the practices that our family had on Christmas morning
Was that we would all sing at Mass in the morning.
It was the Croatian Mass,
And we’d sing Croatian songs and so on.

But then afterward my father would load us
All into the car with a bunch of other people,
And we would go Christmas caroling,
Especially to people who were unable

To get out of their house and who were homebound.
And that way it was our moment of sharing the Gospel,
Sharing the Christmas story with others,
Singing those carols, letting them know that the Gospel
Made a difference in our lives
As we raised our voices in praise of God.

That’s what the shepherds teach us,
To really be confident and to take seriously
The fact that your lives matter,
That there is a story of the Gospel
That’s told in a fresh way,
Just as these shepherds told the Good News
From their own perspective and their own life,
To really value our lives
As a place in which the Gospel is made new.

And the final thing that we see
Is that they go back by a different way,
Very much like the Magi that we hear in the Gospel of Matthew.
It is a symbol of metanoia, which is a word that means
Turning around, going back, having a conversion.

And so Christmas should be an opportunity for us
To take the next step in our faith journey.
You know, in the Gospel of Luke,
There’s nothing more pernicious to the Christian life
And spirituality than the conviction that you’ve arrived,
That you have reached your maximum of what it means
In your spiritual life to be a Christian.

Every Christmas should be an opportunity
For us to say, “Okay, what’s next?
How do I come back home from Christmas
In the New Year in a different way?
What is it that Christmas has done to change my life?”

Because in fact, these shepherds,
As they’re going back home,
Do exactly the same thing the Angels did.
They left rejoicing and praising God.

So how is it that in our own context of our lives
We can have the kind of change that makes us like those Angels,
That makes us those who praise God in the world,
That makes God present in the world
Through our telling of the story?

So in many ways today,
As we come to celebrate Christmas,
This is an opportunity for us

To look at these shepherds as a good example for ourselves.
To remind ourselves that we’re all pilgrims.
We’re all migrants as we pass through
This time and this space of this earth,
Because this is not our final home,
And that we should be co-responsible for each other.

And finally, that as we tell our story,
That we believe that God takes our lives seriously,
And that we can in fact come home changed.
We can allow this Christmas feast
To make a difference in our life,
Reminding ourselves that God is not done with us yet.
And there is another chapter to be written
For each one of our lives.

Please stand with me now.
As we profess the faith that binds us together,
And as the normal practice is, the usual practice
We have on Christmas Day, when we come to those words
That He came down from Heaven by the Holy Spirit,
It was incarnate that we take a moment and bow our heads
To recognize that Christmas is here today for us as well.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of Heaven and Earth,
Of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
The Only Begotten Son of God,
Born of the Father before all ages,
God from God, Light from Light,
True God from True God,
Begotten, not made,
Consubstantial with the Father;
Through Him all things are made.

For us men and for our salvation,
He came down from Heaven, and by the Holy Spirit
Was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man.
For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
He suffered death and was buried,
And rose again on the third day
In accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into Heaven
And is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
His Kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son,
He is adored and glorified.
He has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I look forward to the Resurrection of the dead
And the life of the world to come.
Amen.

Prompted by the Word of God and knowing the needs
In our own families and the world,
We now offer these prayers.
Our response to each prayer will be,
“Lord, hear our prayer.”

For our Church leaders,
Especially our Holy Father, Pope Leo,
And our Cardinal Blasé Cupich,
Who is here celebrating the Eucharist with us today,
May the Birth of our Savior continue to guide them
As they lead us through this most joyous time.
We pray to the Lord.
—Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who are unable to be with
Family and friends on this day of great joy,
May they be comforted by the presence
And unconditional love of our Lord.
We pray to the Lord.
—Lord, hear our prayer.

For the members of the Mercy Home community,
Children, coworkers, and benefactors,
May they continue to answer the Lord’s call
To act with justice, to love tenderly,
To serve one another,
And to walk humbly with Christ.
We pray to the Lord.

-Lord, hear our prayer.
For all people who are victims of violence,
War and poverty, may the birth of our Lord
Be their shining ray of hope
In this time of darkness in their lives.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who are suffering serious illnesses
And for those who lovingly care for them,
May they be uplifted by our prayers and comforted
By the healing peace of Christ throughout this holy season.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who have been called home to the Lord,
May their family members and friends be comforted
In knowing they rest in the peace
Of the Lord’s eternal Kingdom.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

And friends, I would ask you to keep in mind
And pray for this day
Those young men and women who serve in our military,
Especially those who are in harm’s way
And away from their home,
That the Lord will protect them and bring them home safely.
And we remember as well first responders,
That they each day may come home safely.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

Father, time and again you have heard us in our need,
So we are confident that you will gather
All of these petitions into your providence
Through Christ our Lord.
-amen.

∫ [Music playing] ∫
∫ [Music playing] ∫
∫ Once in royal David’s city ∫
∫ Stood a lowly cattle shed, ∫
∫ Where a Mother laid her Baby in a manger for His bed. ∫

∫ Mary was that mother mild; ∫
∫ Jesus Christ, her little child. ∫
∫ He came down to earth from Heaven ∫
∫ Who is God and Lord of all, ∫
∫ And His shelter was a stable, and His cradle was a stall. ∫
∫ With the poor and meek and lowly ∫
∫ Lived on earth our Savior Holy. ∫
∫ For He is our childhood’s pattern, ∫
∫ Day by day like us He grew; ∫
∫ He was little, weak, and helpless, ∫
∫ Tears and smiles like us He knew. ∫
∫ And He feels for all our sadness, ∫
∫ And He shares in all our gladness. ∫
∫ And our eyes at last shall see Him, ∫
∫ Through His own redeeming love; ∫
∫ For that Child so dear and gentle ∫
∫ Is our Lord in Heaven above. ∫
∫ And He leads His children on ∫
∫ To the place where He is gone. ∫

Pray, my sisters and brothers, that my sacrifice and yours
Will be acceptable to God, the Father Almighty.

– May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands
For the praise and glory of His Name,
For our good and the good of all His Holy Church.

May our offerings be worthy, we pray, O Lord,
Of the mysteries of the Nativity this day,
That just as Christ was born a Man
And also shown forth as God,
So these earthly gifts may confer on us what is Divine.
Through Christ our Lord.

– Amen.

The Lord be with you.
– And with your spirit.

Lift up your hearts.
– We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
– It is right and just.

It is truly right and just, our duty, our salvation,
Always and everywhere to give You thanks.

Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God,
Through Christ Our Lord.
For through Him, the holy exchange that restores our life
Has shown forth today in splendor.
When our frailty is assumed by Your Word,
Not only does human mortality receive unending honor,
But by this wondrous union, we too are made eternal.
And so, in company with the Choirs of Angels,
We praise You and with joy we proclaim.

∫ [Music playing] ∫
∫ Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Hosts, ∫
∫ Heaven and Earth are full of Your Glory. ∫
∫ Hosanna in the Highest, ∫
∫ Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. ∫
∫ Hosanna in the Highest. ∫

To You therefore, Most Merciful Father,
We make humble prayer and petition through Jesus Christ,
Your Son, Our Lord, that You accept
And bless these gifts, these offerings,
These holy and unblemished sacrifices,
Which we offer You firstly for Your Holy Catholic Church.
Be pleased to grant her peace, to guard, unite, and govern her
Throughout the whole world,
Together with Your servant Leo, our Pope,
Me, Your unworthy servant, and all those who, holding
To the truth, hand on the Catholic and Apostolic Faith.

Remember, Lord, Your servants and all gathered here,
Whose faith and devotion are known to You.
For them we offer You this sacrifice of praise,
Or they offer it for themselves
And all who are dear to them,
For the redemption of their souls,
In hope of health and well-being,
And paying their homage to You,
The Eternal God, Living and True.

Celebrating the most Sacred Night,
On which the Blessed Mary, the Immaculate Virgin,

Brought forth the Savior into this world,
And in communion with those whose memory we venerate,
Especially with the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
And of our Lord Jesus Christ,
And Joseph, her spouse,
Along with your Apostles and Martyrs,
With Peter and Paul, and Andrew, James and John,
Thomas, James and Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Simon and Jude, Linus and Cletus,
Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian,
Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul,
Cosmas and Damian, and all the Saints.

We ask that through their merits and prayers,
In all things we may be defended by your protecting help.

Therefore, Lord, we pray,
Graciously accept this oblation of our service,
That of your whole family; order our days in your peace,
And command that we be delivered from eternal damnation
And counted among the flock of those you have chosen.

Be pleased, we pray, to bless and acknowledge
And approve this offering in every respect.
Make it spiritual and acceptable,
So that it may become for us the Body and Blood
Of your most beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the day before he was about to suffer,
He took bread in his holy and venerable hands,
And with eyes raised to Heaven,
To you, O God, his almighty Father,
Giving you thanks, he said the blessing

Broke the bread, gave it to his disciples,
Saying, “take this, all of you, and eat of it,
For this is my body, which will be given up for you.”
In a similar way, when supper was ended,
He took this precious chalice in his holy and venerable hands.
And once more, giving you thanks,
He said the blessing and gave the chalice
To his disciples, saying,
“Take this, all of you, and drink from it,
For this is the chalice of my blood,
The blood of the new and eternal covenant,
Which will be poured out for you and for many
For the forgiveness of sins.
Do this in memory of me.”
The Mystery of Faith.
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ when we eat this bread and drink this cup, ∫
∫ we proclaim your death, o Lord, ∫
∫ until you come again. ∫
Therefore, Lord, as we celebrate the memorial
Of the blessed passion, the resurrection from the dead,
And the glorious ascension into heaven of Christ,
Your son, our Lord, we are servants in your Holy people.
Offer to your glorious majesty
From the gifts that you have given us,
This pure victim, this Holy victim,
This spotless victim, the Holy bread of eternal life
And the chalice of everlasting salvation.
Be pleased to look upon these offerings
With a serene and kindly countenance
And to accept them, as once you were pleased
To accept the gifts of your servant Abel, the just,
The sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith,
And the offering of your high priest, Melchizedek,
A holy sacrifice, a spotless victim.
In humble prayer, we ask you, almighty God,
Command that these gifts be borne by your hands,
By hands of your holy angel to your altar in high,
In the sight of your divine majesty,
So that all of us who through this participation
At the altar receive the most holy body and blood
Of your son may be filled with every grace and blessing.
Remember also, Lord, your servants,
Who have gone before us with a sign of faith
And rest in the sleep of peace.
Grant them, Lord, we pray, and all who sleep in Christ,
A place of refreshment, light, and peace.
To us also, your servants, who, those sinners,
Hope in your abundant mercies,
Graciously grant some share and fellowship
With your holy apostles and martyrs,
With John the Baptist and Stephen, Matthias and Barnabas,
Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, and Peter,
Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes,
Cecilia, Anastasia, and all the saints.
Admit us, we beseech you, Lord, into their company,
Not counting our merits, but granting us your pardon,
Through whom you continue to make
All these things good things, Lord.
You sanctify them, fill them with life,
You bless them and bestow them upon us.
Through him, with him, and in him,
O God, almighty father,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
All glory and honor is yours,
Forever and ever.
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ amen, amen, amen ∫
At the savior’s command,
Informed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us the day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses.
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
Graciously grant peace in our days,
That by the help of your mercy,
We may be always free from sin,
And safe from all distress,
As we await the blessed hope
And the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
Now and forever.
Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles,
“peace I leave you, my peace I give you,”
Look not on our sins,
But on the faith of your church,
And graciously grant her peace and unity
In accordance with your will,
Who live and reign forever and ever.
-amen.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
-and with your spirit.
Share that peace with each other.
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ Lamb of God, ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world: ∫
∫ have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Lamb of God, ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world: ∫
∫ have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Lamb of God, ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world: ∫
∫ grant us peace. ∫

Behold the Lamb of God.
Behold Him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the Supper of the Lamb.

Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof,
but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.

∫ [Music playing] ∫

∫ O come, Divine Messiah! ∫
∫ The world in silence waits the day ∫
∫ when hope shall sing its triumph, ∫
∫ and sadness flee away. ∫
∫ Dear Savior, haste! ∫
∫ Come, come to earth. ∫
∫ Dispel the night and show Your face, ∫
∫ and bid us hail the dawn of grace. ∫
∫ O come, Divine Messiah! ∫
∫ The world in silence waits the day ∫
∫ when hope shall sing its triumph, ∫
∫ and sadness flees away. ∫
∫ O come, Desired of nations, ∫
∫ whom priest and prophet long foretold. ∫

∫ come, break the captive fetters, ∫
∫ redeem the long-lost road. ∫
∫ dear savior, haste! ∫
∫ come, come to earth. ∫
∫ dispel the night and show your face, ∫
∫ and bid us hail the dawn of grace. ∫
∫ o come, divine messiah! ∫
∫ the world in silence waits the day ∫
∫ when hope shall sing its triumph, ∫
∫ and sadness flee away. ∫
∫ o come in peace and meekness, ∫
∫ for lowly will your cradle be: ∫
∫ though clothed in human weakness we shall your Godhead see. ∫
∫ dear savior, haste! ∫
∫ come, come to earth. ∫
∫ dispel the night and show your face, ∫
∫ and bid us hail the dawn of grace. ∫
∫ o come, divine messiah! ∫
∫ the world in silence waits the day ∫
∫ when hope shall sing its triumph, ∫
∫ and sadness flee away. ∫
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ cold are the people, ∫
∫ winter of life, ∫
∫ we tremble in shadows this cold endless night. ∫
∫ flowers in the snow lie roses sleeping, ∫
∫ flowers that will echo the sunrise. ∫
∫ fire of hope is our only warmth; ∫
∫ weary, its flame will be dying soon. ∫
∫ voice in the distance, ∫
∫ call in the night, ∫
∫ on wind you enfold us, ∫
∫ you speak of the light. ∫
∫ gentle on the ear you whisper, softly, ∫
∫ rumors of a dawn so embracing. ∫
∫ breathless love awaits darkened souls. ∫
∫ soon will we know of the morning. ∫
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ silent night, holy night! ∫
∫ all is calm, all is bright ∫
round you are a virgin mother and child. ∫
∫ holy infant so tender and mild, ∫
∫ sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. ∫
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ silent night, ∫
∫ holy night! ∫
∫ shepherds’ quake at the sight; ∫
∫ glorious stream from heaven afar; ∫
∫ heavenly hosts sing alleluia! ∫
∫ Christ the savior is born! ∫
∫ Christ the savior is born! ∫
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ silent night, ∫
∫ holy night! ∫
∫ son of God, love’s pure light ∫
∫ radiant beams from thy holy face ∫
∫ with the dawn of redeeming grace, ∫
∫ Jesus, Lord at thy birth, ∫
∫ Jesus, Lord at thy birth, ∫
Let us pray.
Grant us, Lord, as we honor with joyful devotion.
The nativity of your son,
That we may come to know with fullness of faith
The hidden depths of this mystery,
And to love them evermore and more
Through Christ our Lord.
-amen.
Bow your heads for God’s blessing.
May the God of the infinite goodness,
Who by the incarnation of his son
Has driven darkness from the world,
By that gracious birth,
Has illumined this most holy day.
Drive away from you the darkness of vice
And illumine your hearts with the light of virtue.
-amen.
May God who willed that the great joy
Of his son’s saving birth be announced
To shepherds by the angel,
Fill your minds with the gladness he gives
And make you heralds of his gospel.
-amen.
And may God who by the incarnation
Brought together the earthly and heavenly realm
Fill you with the gift of his peace and favor
And make you sharers with the church in heaven.
-amen.
And may the blessing of almighty God,
The father, the son, the Holy Spirit,
Come upon you and remain with you forever.
-amen.
Let us go in peace.
The mass has ended.
-thanks be to God.
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ angels we have heard on high ∫
∫ sweetly singing o’er the plains, ∫
∫ and the mountains in reply ∫
∫ echo back their joyous strains. ∫
∫ gloria in excelsis deo. ∫
∫ gloria in excelsis deo. ∫
∫ shepherds, why this jubilee? ∫
∫ why your joyous strains prolong? ∫
∫ say what may the tiding be ∫
∫ which inspire your heavenly song. ∫
∫ gloria in excelsis deo. ∫
∫ gloria in excelsis deo. ∫
∫ come to Bethlehem and see ∫
∫ him whose berth the angels sing; ∫
∫ come, adore on bended knee ∫
∫ Christ the Lord, the newborn king. ∫
∫ gloria in excelsis deo. ∫
∫ gloria in excelsis deo. ∫
What better way to wish all of you a merry Christmas
Then simply by saying merry Christmas.
I hope that you and your family, your friends, your loved ones,
All those that you are gathered with
As you listen to this Christmas message
Have an absolutely wonderful, beautiful, and merry Christmas.
You know, during the four weeks of advent,
As we prepared ourselves for the celebration
Of this wonderful feast, the words that echo through
The advent season are maranatha, come Lord Jesus.
The name Emmanuel that reminds us that God is with us
In every moment of our lives.
It all comes together on Christmas eve
And on Christmas day.
When God so loved the world, God so loved you,
That he sent his son, his son who teaches us
How to best live our lives, how to share that love
Through discipleship with one another,
How we’re all called in God’s creation
To enhance and make better this world in which we live.
That’s how the kingdom of God has come
And will continue to build through your goodness
Through your prayers, through your reaching out
To sister and brother in need.
That’s what Christ taught us.
That’s so much what the Christmas season is all about.
Please pray for all the young people here at mercy home
Entrusted to our care.
Pray for my co-workers, the backbone of this organization
That I love dearly.
And I promise that I will pray for you
And for your family members.
Merry Christmas and God bless you.
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ it came upon midnight clear, ∫
That glorious song of old, ∫
∫ from angels bending near the earth ∫
∫ to touch their harps of gold: ∫
∫ peace on the earth good will to all, ∫
∫ from heaven’s all-gracious king. ∫
∫ the world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing. ∫
∫ still through the cloven skies they come ∫
∫ with peaceful wings unfurled ∫
∫ and still their heavenly music floats. ∫
∫ o’er all the weary world, ∫
∫ above its sad and lonely plains ∫
∫ they bend on hovering wings. ∫
∫ and ever o’er its babel sounds, a blessed angels sing. ∫
∫ for lo! The days are hastening on… ∫
The music for the broadcast of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home
Is generously provided by GIA Publications Incorporated
And its world library publications division.
∫ …when peace shall over all the earth ∫
∫ its ancient splendors fling, ∫
∫and all the world gives back the song ∫
∫ which now the angels sing. ∫

∫ [Music Playing] ∫
∫ O Come, All Ye Faithful, Joyful and Triumphant, ∫
∫ O Come Ye, O Come Ye to Bethlehem. ∫
∫ Come and Behold Him, Born the King of Angels, ∫
∫ O Come, Let Us Adore Him, O Come, Let Us Adore Him, ∫
∫ O Come, Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord. ∫
∫ Sing, Choirs of Angels, Sing, in Exultation, ∫
∫ Sing, All Ye Citizens of Heaven Above. ∫
∫ Glory to God, All Glory in the Highest, ∫
∫ O Come, Let Us Adore Him, O Come, Let Us Adore Him, ∫
∫ O Come, Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord. ∫
∫ Yea, Lord, We Greet Thee, Born This Happy Morning, ∫
∫ Jesus, to Thee Be All Glory Given, ∫
∫ Word of the Father, Now in Flesh Appearing; ∫
∫ O Come, Let Us Adore Him, O Come, Let Us Adore Him, ∫
∫ O Come, Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord. ∫

In the Name of the Father,
And the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
–Amen.

Peace be with you.
–And with your spirit.

A Blessed Christmas to you all.

It’s a wonderful opportunity for us, as we celebrate
In these first hours of Christmas Day,
To listen to the Gospel that gives us
The story of the Shepherds.

They’re the first ones who hear the news,
And in many ways, they give us, then,
An example of how we are to receive
This Christmas Day and how it is to make
A difference in our lives.

So let us be open to that Word of God and once again
Find that the Lord is rich in mercy
As we call upon the forgiveness of our sins.

You are the Good Shepherd
Who never leaves the flock unattended.
Lord, have mercy.
–Lord, have mercy.

You are Son of God and Son of Mary.
Christ, have mercy.
–Christ, have mercy.

You are Word made Flesh
And Splendor to the Father.
Lord, have mercy.
–Lord, have mercy.

May Almighty God have mercy on us,

Forgive us all of our sins,
And bring us to life everlasting.

Amen.

∫ [Music Playing] ∫
∫ Glory to God in the Highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of good will. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the Highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of good will. ∫
∫ We praise You. ∫
∫ We bless You. ∫
∫ We adore You. ∫
∫ We glorify You. ∫
∫ We give You thanks for Your great glory. ∫
∫ Lord God, Heavenly King, O God, Almighty Father, ∫
∫ Glory to God in the Highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to people of good will. ∫
∫ Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, ∫
∫ Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ have mercy on us. ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ receive our prayer. ∫
∫ You are seated at the right hand of the Father. ∫
∫ Have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the Highest,

∫ And on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ For You alone are the Holy One. ∫
∫ You alone are the Lord. ∫
∫ You alone are the Most High, ∫
∫ Jesus Christ; ∫
∫ With the Holy Spirit in the Glory of God the Father, ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ And on earth peace to people of goodwill. ∫
∫ Amen. ∫

Let us pray.

Grant, we pray, Almighty God,
That as we are bathed in the new radiance of Your Incarnate Word,
The light of faith which illumines our minds
May also shine through in our deeds.
Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You in the unity
Of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.

Amen.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.

“See, the Lord proclaims to the ends of the earth:
Say to Daughter Zion, your Savior comes.
Here is His reward with Him,
His recompense before Him.
They shall be called the Holy People,”

The redeemed of the Lord,
And you shall be called frequented,
A city that is not forsaken.”
The word of the Lord.
-thanks be to God.
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ a light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ the Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ The Lord is King. ∫
∫ Let the earth rejoice. ∫
∫ Let the many isles be glad. ∫
∫ The heavens proclaim His justice, ∫
∫ And His people see His glory, see His glory. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ Light dawns for the just, ∫
∫ And gladness for the upright of heart. ∫
∫ Be glad in the Lord, you just, ∫
∫ And give thanks to His Holy Name. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫
∫ A light will shine on us this day. ∫
∫ The Lord is born for us. ∫

∫ [Music playing] ∫

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to Titus.

Beloved, when the kindness and generous love of God our Savior appeared,
Not because of any righteous deeds we had done,
But because of His mercy, He saved us through
The bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
Whom He richly poured out on us through
Jesus Christ, our Savior,
So that we might be justified by His grace and become
Heirs in the hope of eternal life.

The Word of the Lord.

-thanks be to God.
∫ [Music playing] ∫

∫ Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. ∫
∫ Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the Highest, ∫
∫ and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests. ∫
∫ Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. ∫

The Lord be with you.
-and with your spirit.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.
-glory to you, O Lord.

When the angels went away from them to Heaven,
the shepherds said to one another,
“Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing
that has taken place which the Lord has made known to us.”

So they went in haste
and found Mary and Joseph, and the Infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this, they made known the message
that had been told them about this Child.

All who heard it were amazed.

By what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
For all they had heard and seen,
Just as it had been told to them.

The Gospel of the Lord.
–Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Again, a blessed Christmas to all of you and your families,
Especially those who are participating
In this Mass through television.
We want to, in a special way, offer our expression
Of solidarity to people who are homebound,
Who are in hospitals, who are sick,
Who have a difficult time leaving their home
In order to celebrate Mass today.
We’re with you in this Eucharist
And in your suffering, that you’re not alone.

It’s quite interesting that the Church gives us
The shepherds as the first ones
Who hear the news of the birth of the Savior,
And in that way they serve as a model for how
All Christians should celebrate
And begin to understand what this mystery
Of the Lord’s birth is all about.

There are a number of things about these shepherds
That would deserve our attention.
The first thing is that shepherds have to work together.
They, in many ways, have a lot of different
Dangers and perils and threats and moments of jeopardy
In which they’re living out in the field,
And wild animals can come and take their sheep.
And so they have to coordinate a way of security,
A way in which they’re going to keep safe their flocks.

And so they’ve learned how to work together
And also to take up the task of herding their sheep
In a direction that keeps them moving.
And so when we hear that their first response
Is together to go in haste to Bethlehem
To see what has been told them,
It is, I think, a good image for all of our Christian life
That one thing that we should never underestimate the value of
Is the unity of our Church.

The first mark of the Church, as we say,
Is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic—unity.
And it is about making sure that we understand
That we walk together,
That we’re fellow pilgrims along the way.

I think it’s important for us to keep that in mind
In these days in which there are pilgrims and migrants
Who are trying to, in some way, seek a better life so often.
And we, too, are like them,
Especially being an immigrant nation.

But we’re also migrants and we’re also pilgrims
In the sense of those who are here on this earth
In a temporary way.
We’re just passing through,
Because we know that our final destination, our final home,
Is the one to which God calls us in the Kingdom.

And so for us to cultivate a sense of who we really are,
We are co-responsible for each other
As we are pilgrims along the way.
We’re taking care of each other
To make sure that no one’s left behind.

That is an image that Pope Francis, and now Pope Leo,
Has asked us to look upon as an image for the Church.

That we’re, as he calls it, a Synodal Church,
Which is a Greek word that means “walking together.”

The more that we have a sense
That we are co-responsible for each other,
The more healthy we’re going to be as we take up
The demands of the Gospel in our time.

And that is why it’s important for us
To care for those who may be limping along in life,
Who stray, who go at a slower pace,
Who have difficulties because of their injuries and woundedness,
That we look for a way in which we help them along the way,
No matter their status.

The second thing that we notice
Is that when they come to Bethlehem,
They tell their story.
They tell what has been told them
But also how it has impacted them.

That’s so important as well for us,
Because the Gospel that we read here in the Bible
Really is a foundational text, but it’s not the final text
Of Good News, because the Good News is replayed
In every one of our stories.

Each one of us has a story to tell about
How God has made a difference in our life.

I often tell grandparents especially who worry
About whether or not the practice of the Faith
In their family is going to end with them,
And they see that maybe their children and grandchildren
Don’t practice as fervently as they do.

It’s important for grandparents especially
To sit down with their grandchildren and tell them
Why the Faith has made such a difference in their life,
How it has shaped the person they are,
And what value it has held for them.

Because each one of us has a Gospel story of conversion to tell.
Each one of us has something to share with others,
Just as the shepherds did when they told their story.

One of the practices that our family had on Christmas morning
Was that we would all sing at Mass in the morning.
It was the Croatian Mass,
And we’d sing Croatian songs and so on.

But then afterward my father would load us
All into the car with a bunch of other people,
And we would go Christmas caroling,
Especially to people who were unable

To get out of their house and who were homebound.
And that way it was our moment of sharing the Gospel,
Sharing the Christmas story with others,
Singing those carols, letting them know that the Gospel
Made a difference in our lives
As we raised our voices in praise of God.

That’s what the shepherds teach us,
To really be confident and to take seriously
The fact that your lives matter,
That there is a story of the Gospel
That’s told in a fresh way,
Just as these shepherds told the Good News
From their own perspective and their own life,
To really value our lives
As a place in which the Gospel is made new.

And the final thing that we see
Is that they go back by a different way,
Very much like the Magi that we hear in the Gospel of Matthew.
It is a symbol of metanoia, which is a word that means
Turning around, going back, having a conversion.

And so Christmas should be an opportunity for us
To take the next step in our faith journey.
You know, in the Gospel of Luke,
There’s nothing more pernicious to the Christian life
And spirituality than the conviction that you’ve arrived,
That you have reached your maximum of what it means
In your spiritual life to be a Christian.

Every Christmas should be an opportunity
For us to say, “Okay, what’s next?
How do I come back home from Christmas
In the New Year in a different way?
What is it that Christmas has done to change my life?”

Because in fact, these shepherds,
As they’re going back home,
Do exactly the same thing the Angels did.
They left rejoicing and praising God.

So how is it that in our own context of our lives
We can have the kind of change that makes us like those Angels,
That makes us those who praise God in the world,
That makes God present in the world
Through our telling of the story?

So in many ways today,
As we come to celebrate Christmas,
This is an opportunity for us

To look at these shepherds as a good example for ourselves.
To remind ourselves that we’re all pilgrims.
We’re all migrants as we pass through
This time and this space of this earth,
Because this is not our final home,
And that we should be co-responsible for each other.

And finally, that as we tell our story,
That we believe that God takes our lives seriously,
And that we can in fact come home changed.
We can allow this Christmas feast
To make a difference in our life,
Reminding ourselves that God is not done with us yet.
And there is another chapter to be written
For each one of our lives.

Please stand with me now.
As we profess the faith that binds us together,
And as the normal practice is, the usual practice
We have on Christmas Day, when we come to those words
That He came down from Heaven by the Holy Spirit,
It was incarnate that we take a moment and bow our heads
To recognize that Christmas is here today for us as well.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of Heaven and Earth,
Of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
The Only Begotten Son of God,
Born of the Father before all ages,
God from God, Light from Light,
True God from True God,
Begotten, not made,
Consubstantial with the Father;
Through Him all things are made.

For us men and for our salvation,
He came down from Heaven, and by the Holy Spirit
Was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man.
For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
He suffered death and was buried,
And rose again on the third day
In accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into Heaven
And is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
His Kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son,
He is adored and glorified.
He has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I look forward to the Resurrection of the dead
And the life of the world to come.
Amen.

Prompted by the Word of God and knowing the needs
In our own families and the world,
We now offer these prayers.
Our response to each prayer will be,
“Lord, hear our prayer.”

For our Church leaders,
Especially our Holy Father, Pope Leo,
And our Cardinal Blasé Cupich,
Who is here celebrating the Eucharist with us today,
May the Birth of our Savior continue to guide them
As they lead us through this most joyous time.
We pray to the Lord.
—Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who are unable to be with
Family and friends on this day of great joy,
May they be comforted by the presence
And unconditional love of our Lord.
We pray to the Lord.
—Lord, hear our prayer.

For the members of the Mercy Home community,
Children, coworkers, and benefactors,
May they continue to answer the Lord’s call
To act with justice, to love tenderly,
To serve one another,
And to walk humbly with Christ.
We pray to the Lord.

-Lord, hear our prayer.
For all people who are victims of violence,
War and poverty, may the birth of our Lord
Be their shining ray of hope
In this time of darkness in their lives.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who are suffering serious illnesses
And for those who lovingly care for them,
May they be uplifted by our prayers and comforted
By the healing peace of Christ throughout this holy season.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who have been called home to the Lord,
May their family members and friends be comforted
In knowing they rest in the peace
Of the Lord’s eternal Kingdom.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

And friends, I would ask you to keep in mind
And pray for this day
Those young men and women who serve in our military,
Especially those who are in harm’s way
And away from their home,
That the Lord will protect them and bring them home safely.
And we remember as well first responders,
That they each day may come home safely.
We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

Father, time and again you have heard us in our need,
So we are confident that you will gather
All of these petitions into your providence
Through Christ our Lord.
-amen.

∫ [Music playing] ∫
∫ [Music playing] ∫
∫ Once in royal David’s city ∫
∫ Stood a lowly cattle shed, ∫
∫ Where a Mother laid her Baby in a manger for His bed. ∫

∫ Mary was that mother mild; ∫
∫ Jesus Christ, her little child. ∫
∫ He came down to earth from Heaven ∫
∫ Who is God and Lord of all, ∫
∫ And His shelter was a stable, and His cradle was a stall. ∫
∫ With the poor and meek and lowly ∫
∫ Lived on earth our Savior Holy. ∫
∫ For He is our childhood’s pattern, ∫
∫ Day by day like us He grew; ∫
∫ He was little, weak, and helpless, ∫
∫ Tears and smiles like us He knew. ∫
∫ And He feels for all our sadness, ∫
∫ And He shares in all our gladness. ∫
∫ And our eyes at last shall see Him, ∫
∫ Through His own redeeming love; ∫
∫ For that Child so dear and gentle ∫
∫ Is our Lord in Heaven above. ∫
∫ And He leads His children on ∫
∫ To the place where He is gone. ∫

Pray, my sisters and brothers, that my sacrifice and yours
Will be acceptable to God, the Father Almighty.

– May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands
For the praise and glory of His Name,
For our good and the good of all His Holy Church.

May our offerings be worthy, we pray, O Lord,
Of the mysteries of the Nativity this day,
That just as Christ was born a Man
And also shown forth as God,
So these earthly gifts may confer on us what is Divine.
Through Christ our Lord.

– Amen.

The Lord be with you.
– And with your spirit.

Lift up your hearts.
– We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
– It is right and just.

It is truly right and just, our duty, our salvation,
Always and everywhere to give You thanks.

Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God,
Through Christ Our Lord.
For through Him, the holy exchange that restores our life
Has shown forth today in splendor.
When our frailty is assumed by Your Word,
Not only does human mortality receive unending honor,
But by this wondrous union, we too are made eternal.
And so, in company with the Choirs of Angels,
We praise You and with joy we proclaim.

∫ [Music playing] ∫
∫ Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Hosts, ∫
∫ Heaven and Earth are full of Your Glory. ∫
∫ Hosanna in the Highest, ∫
∫ Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. ∫
∫ Hosanna in the Highest. ∫

To You therefore, Most Merciful Father,
We make humble prayer and petition through Jesus Christ,
Your Son, Our Lord, that You accept
And bless these gifts, these offerings,
These holy and unblemished sacrifices,
Which we offer You firstly for Your Holy Catholic Church.
Be pleased to grant her peace, to guard, unite, and govern her
Throughout the whole world,
Together with Your servant Leo, our Pope,
Me, Your unworthy servant, and all those who, holding
To the truth, hand on the Catholic and Apostolic Faith.

Remember, Lord, Your servants and all gathered here,
Whose faith and devotion are known to You.
For them we offer You this sacrifice of praise,
Or they offer it for themselves
And all who are dear to them,
For the redemption of their souls,
In hope of health and well-being,
And paying their homage to You,
The Eternal God, Living and True.

Celebrating the most Sacred Night,
On which the Blessed Mary, the Immaculate Virgin,

Brought forth the Savior into this world,
And in communion with those whose memory we venerate,
Especially with the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
And of our Lord Jesus Christ,
And Joseph, her spouse,
Along with your Apostles and Martyrs,
With Peter and Paul, and Andrew, James and John,
Thomas, James and Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Simon and Jude, Linus and Cletus,
Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian,
Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul,
Cosmas and Damian, and all the Saints.

We ask that through their merits and prayers,
In all things we may be defended by your protecting help.

Therefore, Lord, we pray,
Graciously accept this oblation of our service,
That of your whole family; order our days in your peace,
And command that we be delivered from eternal damnation
And counted among the flock of those you have chosen.

Be pleased, we pray, to bless and acknowledge
And approve this offering in every respect.
Make it spiritual and acceptable,
So that it may become for us the Body and Blood
Of your most beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the day before he was about to suffer,
He took bread in his holy and venerable hands,
And with eyes raised to Heaven,
To you, O God, his almighty Father,
Giving you thanks, he said the blessing

Broke the bread, gave it to his disciples,
Saying, “take this, all of you, and eat of it,
For this is my body, which will be given up for you.”
In a similar way, when supper was ended,
He took this precious chalice in his holy and venerable hands.
And once more, giving you thanks,
He said the blessing and gave the chalice
To his disciples, saying,
“Take this, all of you, and drink from it,
For this is the chalice of my blood,
The blood of the new and eternal covenant,
Which will be poured out for you and for many
For the forgiveness of sins.
Do this in memory of me.”
The Mystery of Faith.
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ when we eat this bread and drink this cup, ∫
∫ we proclaim your death, o Lord, ∫
∫ until you come again. ∫
Therefore, Lord, as we celebrate the memorial
Of the blessed passion, the resurrection from the dead,
And the glorious ascension into heaven of Christ,
Your son, our Lord, we are servants in your Holy people.
Offer to your glorious majesty
From the gifts that you have given us,
This pure victim, this Holy victim,
This spotless victim, the Holy bread of eternal life
And the chalice of everlasting salvation.
Be pleased to look upon these offerings
With a serene and kindly countenance
And to accept them, as once you were pleased
To accept the gifts of your servant Abel, the just,
The sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith,
And the offering of your high priest, Melchizedek,
A holy sacrifice, a spotless victim.
In humble prayer, we ask you, almighty God,
Command that these gifts be borne by your hands,
By hands of your holy angel to your altar in high,
In the sight of your divine majesty,
So that all of us who through this participation
At the altar receive the most holy body and blood
Of your son may be filled with every grace and blessing.
Remember also, Lord, your servants,
Who have gone before us with a sign of faith
And rest in the sleep of peace.
Grant them, Lord, we pray, and all who sleep in Christ,
A place of refreshment, light, and peace.
To us also, your servants, who, those sinners,
Hope in your abundant mercies,
Graciously grant some share and fellowship
With your holy apostles and martyrs,
With John the Baptist and Stephen, Matthias and Barnabas,
Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, and Peter,
Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes,
Cecilia, Anastasia, and all the saints.
Admit us, we beseech you, Lord, into their company,
Not counting our merits, but granting us your pardon,
Through whom you continue to make
All these things good things, Lord.
You sanctify them, fill them with life,
You bless them and bestow them upon us.
Through him, with him, and in him,
O God, almighty father,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
All glory and honor is yours,
Forever and ever.
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ amen, amen, amen ∫
At the savior’s command,
Informed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us the day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses.
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
Graciously grant peace in our days,
That by the help of your mercy,
We may be always free from sin,
And safe from all distress,
As we await the blessed hope
And the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
Now and forever.
Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles,
“peace I leave you, my peace I give you,”
Look not on our sins,
But on the faith of your church,
And graciously grant her peace and unity
In accordance with your will,
Who live and reign forever and ever.
-amen.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
-and with your spirit.
Share that peace with each other.
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ Lamb of God, ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world: ∫
∫ have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Lamb of God, ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world: ∫
∫ have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Lamb of God, ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world: ∫
∫ grant us peace. ∫

Behold the Lamb of God.
Behold Him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the Supper of the Lamb.

Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof,
but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.

∫ [Music playing] ∫

∫ O come, Divine Messiah! ∫
∫ The world in silence waits the day ∫
∫ when hope shall sing its triumph, ∫
∫ and sadness flee away. ∫
∫ Dear Savior, haste! ∫
∫ Come, come to earth. ∫
∫ Dispel the night and show Your face, ∫
∫ and bid us hail the dawn of grace. ∫
∫ O come, Divine Messiah! ∫
∫ The world in silence waits the day ∫
∫ when hope shall sing its triumph, ∫
∫ and sadness flees away. ∫
∫ O come, Desired of nations, ∫
∫ whom priest and prophet long foretold. ∫

∫ come, break the captive fetters, ∫
∫ redeem the long-lost road. ∫
∫ dear savior, haste! ∫
∫ come, come to earth. ∫
∫ dispel the night and show your face, ∫
∫ and bid us hail the dawn of grace. ∫
∫ o come, divine messiah! ∫
∫ the world in silence waits the day ∫
∫ when hope shall sing its triumph, ∫
∫ and sadness flee away. ∫
∫ o come in peace and meekness, ∫
∫ for lowly will your cradle be: ∫
∫ though clothed in human weakness we shall your Godhead see. ∫
∫ dear savior, haste! ∫
∫ come, come to earth. ∫
∫ dispel the night and show your face, ∫
∫ and bid us hail the dawn of grace. ∫
∫ o come, divine messiah! ∫
∫ the world in silence waits the day ∫
∫ when hope shall sing its triumph, ∫
∫ and sadness flee away. ∫
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ cold are the people, ∫
∫ winter of life, ∫
∫ we tremble in shadows this cold endless night. ∫
∫ flowers in the snow lie roses sleeping, ∫
∫ flowers that will echo the sunrise. ∫
∫ fire of hope is our only warmth; ∫
∫ weary, its flame will be dying soon. ∫
∫ voice in the distance, ∫
∫ call in the night, ∫
∫ on wind you enfold us, ∫
∫ you speak of the light. ∫
∫ gentle on the ear you whisper, softly, ∫
∫ rumors of a dawn so embracing. ∫
∫ breathless love awaits darkened souls. ∫
∫ soon will we know of the morning. ∫
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ silent night, holy night! ∫
∫ all is calm, all is bright ∫
round you are a virgin mother and child. ∫
∫ holy infant so tender and mild, ∫
∫ sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. ∫
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ silent night, ∫
∫ holy night! ∫
∫ shepherds’ quake at the sight; ∫
∫ glorious stream from heaven afar; ∫
∫ heavenly hosts sing alleluia! ∫
∫ Christ the savior is born! ∫
∫ Christ the savior is born! ∫
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ silent night, ∫
∫ holy night! ∫
∫ son of God, love’s pure light ∫
∫ radiant beams from thy holy face ∫
∫ with the dawn of redeeming grace, ∫
∫ Jesus, Lord at thy birth, ∫
∫ Jesus, Lord at thy birth, ∫
Let us pray.
Grant us, Lord, as we honor with joyful devotion.
The nativity of your son,
That we may come to know with fullness of faith
The hidden depths of this mystery,
And to love them evermore and more
Through Christ our Lord.
-amen.
Bow your heads for God’s blessing.
May the God of the infinite goodness,
Who by the incarnation of his son
Has driven darkness from the world,
By that gracious birth,
Has illumined this most holy day.
Drive away from you the darkness of vice
And illumine your hearts with the light of virtue.
-amen.
May God who willed that the great joy
Of his son’s saving birth be announced
To shepherds by the angel,
Fill your minds with the gladness he gives
And make you heralds of his gospel.
-amen.
And may God who by the incarnation
Brought together the earthly and heavenly realm
Fill you with the gift of his peace and favor
And make you sharers with the church in heaven.
-amen.
And may the blessing of almighty God,
The father, the son, the Holy Spirit,
Come upon you and remain with you forever.
-amen.
Let us go in peace.
The mass has ended.
-thanks be to God.
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ angels we have heard on high ∫
∫ sweetly singing o’er the plains, ∫
∫ and the mountains in reply ∫
∫ echo back their joyous strains. ∫
∫ gloria in excelsis deo. ∫
∫ gloria in excelsis deo. ∫
∫ shepherds, why this jubilee? ∫
∫ why your joyous strains prolong? ∫
∫ say what may the tiding be ∫
∫ which inspire your heavenly song. ∫
∫ gloria in excelsis deo. ∫
∫ gloria in excelsis deo. ∫
∫ come to Bethlehem and see ∫
∫ him whose berth the angels sing; ∫
∫ come, adore on bended knee ∫
∫ Christ the Lord, the newborn king. ∫
∫ gloria in excelsis deo. ∫
∫ gloria in excelsis deo. ∫
What better way to wish all of you a merry Christmas
Then simply by saying merry Christmas.
I hope that you and your family, your friends, your loved ones,
All those that you are gathered with
As you listen to this Christmas message
Have an absolutely wonderful, beautiful, and merry Christmas.
You know, during the four weeks of advent,
As we prepared ourselves for the celebration
Of this wonderful feast, the words that echo through
The advent season are maranatha, come Lord Jesus.
The name Emmanuel that reminds us that God is with us
In every moment of our lives.
It all comes together on Christmas eve
And on Christmas day.
When God so loved the world, God so loved you,
That he sent his son, his son who teaches us
How to best live our lives, how to share that love
Through discipleship with one another,
How we’re all called in God’s creation
To enhance and make better this world in which we live.
That’s how the kingdom of God has come
And will continue to build through your goodness
Through your prayers, through your reaching out
To sister and brother in need.
That’s what Christ taught us.
That’s so much what the Christmas season is all about.
Please pray for all the young people here at mercy home
Entrusted to our care.
Pray for my co-workers, the backbone of this organization
That I love dearly.
And I promise that I will pray for you
And for your family members.
Merry Christmas and God bless you.
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ [music playing] ∫
∫ it came upon midnight clear, ∫
That glorious song of old, ∫
∫ from angels bending near the earth ∫
∫ to touch their harps of gold: ∫
∫ peace on the earth good will to all, ∫
∫ from heaven’s all-gracious king. ∫
∫ the world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing. ∫
∫ still through the cloven skies they come ∫
∫ with peaceful wings unfurled ∫
∫ and still their heavenly music floats. ∫
∫ o’er all the weary world, ∫
∫ above its sad and lonely plains ∫
∫ they bend on hovering wings. ∫
∫ and ever o’er its babel sounds, a blessed angels sing. ∫
∫ for lo! The days are hastening on… ∫
The music for the broadcast of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home
Is generously provided by GIA Publications Incorporated
And its world library publications division.
∫ …when peace shall over all the earth ∫
∫ its ancient splendors fling, ∫
∫and all the world gives back the song ∫
∫ which now the angels sing. ∫

Again, a blessed Christmas to all of you and your families,
Especially those who are participating
In this Mass through television.
We want to, in a special way, offer our expression
Of solidarity to people who are homebound,
Who are in hospitals, who are sick,
Who have a difficult time leaving their home
In order to celebrate Mass today.
We’re with you in this Eucharist
And in your suffering, that you’re not alone.

It’s quite interesting that the Church gives us
The shepherds as the first ones
Who hear the news of the birth of the Savior,
And in that way they serve as a model for how
All Christians should celebrate
And begin to understand what this mystery
Of the Lord’s birth is all about.

There are a number of things about these shepherds
That would deserve our attention.
The first thing is that shepherds have to work together.
They, in many ways, have a lot of different
Dangers and perils and threats and moments of jeopardy
In which they’re living out in the field,
And wild animals can come and take their sheep.
And so they have to coordinate a way of security,
A way in which they’re going to keep safe their flocks.

And so they’ve learned how to work together
And also to take up the task of herding their sheep
In a direction that keeps them moving.
And so when we hear that their first response
Is together to go in haste to Bethlehem
To see what has been told them,
It is, I think, a good image for all of our Christian life
That one thing that we should never underestimate the value of
Is the unity of our Church.

The first mark of the Church, as we say,
Is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic—unity.
And it is about making sure that we understand
That we walk together,
That we’re fellow pilgrims along the way.

I think it’s important for us to keep that in mind
In these days in which there are pilgrims and migrants
Who are trying to, in some way, seek a better life so often.
And we, too, are like them,
Especially being an immigrant nation.

But we’re also migrants and we’re also pilgrims
In the sense of those who are here on this earth
In a temporary way.
We’re just passing through,
Because we know that our final destination, our final home,
Is the one to which God calls us in the Kingdom.

And so for us to cultivate a sense of who we really are,
We are co-responsible for each other
As we are pilgrims along the way.
We’re taking care of each other
To make sure that no one’s left behind.

That is an image that Pope Francis, and now Pope Leo,
Has asked us to look upon as an image for the Church.

That we’re, as he calls it, a Synodal Church,
Which is a Greek word that means “walking together.”

The more that we have a sense
That we are co-responsible for each other,
The more healthy we’re going to be as we take up
The demands of the Gospel in our time.

And that is why it’s important for us
To care for those who may be limping along in life,
Who stray, who go at a slower pace,
Who have difficulties because of their injuries and woundedness,
That we look for a way in which we help them along the way,
No matter their status.

The second thing that we notice
Is that when they come to Bethlehem,
They tell their story.
They tell what has been told them
But also how it has impacted them.

That’s so important as well for us,
Because the Gospel that we read here in the Bible
Really is a foundational text, but it’s not the final text
Of Good News, because the Good News is replayed
In every one of our stories.

Each one of us has a story to tell about
How God has made a difference in our life.

I often tell grandparents especially who worry
About whether or not the practice of the Faith
In their family is going to end with them,
And they see that maybe their children and grandchildren
Don’t practice as fervently as they do.

It’s important for grandparents especially
To sit down with their grandchildren and tell them
Why the Faith has made such a difference in their life,
How it has shaped the person they are,
And what value it has held for them.

Because each one of us has a Gospel story of conversion to tell.
Each one of us has something to share with others,
Just as the shepherds did when they told their story.

One of the practices that our family had on Christmas morning
Was that we would all sing at Mass in the morning.
It was the Croatian Mass,
And we’d sing Croatian songs and so on.

But then afterward my father would load us
All into the car with a bunch of other people,
And we would go Christmas caroling,
Especially to people who were unable

To get out of their house and who were homebound.
And that way it was our moment of sharing the Gospel,
Sharing the Christmas story with others,
Singing those carols, letting them know that the Gospel
Made a difference in our lives
As we raised our voices in praise of God.

That’s what the shepherds teach us,
To really be confident and to take seriously
The fact that your lives matter,
That there is a story of the Gospel
That’s told in a fresh way,
Just as these shepherds told the Good News
From their own perspective and their own life,
To really value our lives
As a place in which the Gospel is made new.

And the final thing that we see
Is that they go back by a different way,
Very much like the Magi that we hear in the Gospel of Matthew.
It is a symbol of metanoia, which is a word that means
Turning around, going back, having a conversion.

And so Christmas should be an opportunity for us
To take the next step in our faith journey.
You know, in the Gospel of Luke,
There’s nothing more pernicious to the Christian life
And spirituality than the conviction that you’ve arrived,
That you have reached your maximum of what it means
In your spiritual life to be a Christian.

Every Christmas should be an opportunity
For us to say, “Okay, what’s next?
How do I come back home from Christmas
In the New Year in a different way?
What is it that Christmas has done to change my life?”

Because in fact, these shepherds,
As they’re going back home,
Do exactly the same thing the Angels did.
They left rejoicing and praising God.

So how is it that in our own context of our lives
We can have the kind of change that makes us like those Angels,
That makes us those who praise God in the world,
That makes God present in the world
Through our telling of the story?

So in many ways today,
As we come to celebrate Christmas,
This is an opportunity for us

To look at these shepherds as a good example for ourselves.
To remind ourselves that we’re all pilgrims.
We’re all migrants as we pass through
This time and this space of this earth,
Because this is not our final home,
And that we should be co-responsible for each other.

And finally, that as we tell our story,
That we believe that God takes our lives seriously,
And that we can in fact come home changed.
We can allow this Christmas feast
To make a difference in our life,
Reminding ourselves that God is not done with us yet.
And there is another chapter to be written
For each one of our lives.