The Roman Missal: Advent to the Sundays after Epiphany (English) 8

1[Vigil of the Nativity, or Christmas Eve.]

2Introit. Exod. xvi. This day you shall know that the Lord will come, and save us: and in the morning you shall see his glory. The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; the world, and all they that dwell therein. Glory, &c.

3Prayer. Deus qui nos. O God, who givest us joy by the annual expectation of our redemption; grant that we may securely see him coming as our judge, whom we joyfully receive as our redeemer, our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who livest, &c.

4[No other Prayer is said, unless the Vigil falls on a Sunday, when a commemoration of the Sunday is made.]

5Epistle. Rom. i. 1—6. Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, which he had promised before by his prophets in the holy scriptures, concerning his Son, who was made to him of the seed of David according to the flesh, who was predestinated the Son of God in power according to the spirit of sanctification, by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, by whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith in all nations for his name, among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ.

6Gradual. This day you shall know that the Lord will come, and save us; and in the morning you shall see his glory. Give ear, O thou that rulest Israel: thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep; thou that sittest upon the Cherubim, appear before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasses.

7[If this Vigil fall on a Sunday, the following is added:]

8Alleluia, alleluia. Tomorrow the iniquity of the earth shall be done away; and the Saviour of the world shall reign over us. Alleluia.

9Gospel. St Matt. i. 18—21. When Mary, the mother of Jesus, was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins.

10Offertory. Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of glory shall enter in.

11Secret. Grant us, we beseech thee, O Almighty God; that as we anticipate the adorable nativity of thy Son, so we may joyfully receive his eternal benefits. Who lives and reigns, &c.

12Communion. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed; and all flesh shall see the salvation of our God.

13Postcom. Da nobis. Grant us, O Lord, we beseech thee, to breathe new life from celebrating the nativity of thy only begotten Son; whose heavenly mysteries are our meat and our drink. Through the same, &c.