o come all ye faithful joyful and triumphant o come ye -- o come all ye faithful joyful and triumphant o come ye o come ye to bethlehem

born the king of angels o come let us adore him o come let us adore him o come let us adore him

sing choirs of angels sing in exultation sing all ye citizens of heaven above glory to god glory in the highest o come let us adore him

o come let us adore him christ the lord >> in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit -- >> amen. >> peace be with you. >> and with your spirit. >> brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. lord jesus you were sent to heal the contrite of heart. lord have mercy. you came to call sinners. christ have mercy. >> christ have mercy. >> you were seated at the right hand of the father tointercede for us. lord have mercy. >> may almighty lord have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and

>> amen. glory to god glory to god glory to god in the highest glory to god glory to god glory to god glory to god glory to god in the highest

glory to god glory to god glory to god in the highest glory to god

amen amen 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 illumens 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, one god forever and ever. >> amen. >> a reading from the book of the prophet isaiah. darkness have seen a great

upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom, a light has shon. you have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing as they rejoice before you as at the harvest. as people make merry when dividing spoils. for the yoke that burdened them, the pull on their shoulder and the rod of their task master, you have smashed, as on the day of midian. for every boot that tramped in batter, every cloak rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for us. a son is given us . upon his shoulder, dominion rests. they name him wonder counselor, god hero, father forever, prince of peace. his dominion is vast and forever peaceful. from david's throne and over his kingdom which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice

the zeal of the lord of hosts will do this. the word of the lord. >> thanks be to god.

song land name today, today, today upon our savior christ our lord announce his salvation nations among our people today today today christ the lord rejoice

reach out and shall all the trees of the forest exalt today today today upon our savior christ the lord we shall exalt before the lord for he comes for he comes to rule the earth he shall rule the world retrust and the people --

>> a reading from the letter of st. paul to titus. beloved, the grace of god has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires. and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age. as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great god and savior jesus christ. who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness, and to cleanse for himself a people of his own. eager to do what is good. the word of the lord.

alleluia! alleluia! alleluia! alleluia! i proclaim to you good news of great joy today a savior is born for us christ the lord alleluia! alleluia! 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. in those days, a decree went out from caesar augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. this was the first enrollment when corinius was governor of syria. so all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. and joseph, too, went up from galilee from the town of nazareth to judea, the city of david. it is called bethlehem. because he was of the house and family of david, to be enrolled with mary, his betrothed, who was with child. while they were there, the time

and she gave birth to her first born son. she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, for there's no room for them in the inn. now there were shepherds in the region living in the fields and flock. the angel of the lord appeared to them . and the glory of the lord shone around them and they were struck with great fear. the angel said to them -- do not be afraid, for behold, i proclaim to you, good news of great joy that will be for all the people. for today in the city of david, a savior has been born for you who is christ and lord. and this will be a sign for you. you will find a child, infant, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. and suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel praising god and

highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. the gospel of the lord. >> praise you lord jesus christ. >> merry christmas to everyone, all of you here present and those who are watching us on television. it's a joy to be able to celebrate this eucharist and our year of mercy and to join with you on this very porno cation.

united states, country western music is the most popular music of all. most people know about dolly parton and johnny cash and -- but americans don't know much about opera. not many people go and the people who go sometimes go simply to be seen going to the opera. in italy, it's very different. very poor farmers with very little education will probably have a great love and appreciation for opera. they will know the tunes, as well as the lyrics and the stories. many americans who enjoy listening to the beautiful music have no idea what the lyrics mean. today, the gospel speaks to us about shepherds who, in the silence of the night, are treated to a spectacular

christmas carol. it was companied by a spectacular light show in the heavens. we can only imagine how beautiful the music was as the heavenly choir sang glory to god in the highest and on earth peace. i'm sure that the shepherds were enthused by the beautiful singing and doubtless they were sorry when the concert was over and the performers disappeared behind heaven's curtains. in some ways, i'm sure, the shepherds may have been a little relieved. they may have felt a little shabby like someone who is suddenly invited to the white house and discovered that you are surrounded by gliterodi and their magnificent holiday attire. the wonderful thing about the

they enjoyed the spectacle of the anglic rendition of that first christmas carol, they were not distracted from the message. the epiphany of heavenly glory was only the initial spark . a stimulus leading to what was really intended. the tiny seed of the word had been planted in their hearts. and instead of seeking the light in the heavens and demanding an encore, they are prepared to embrace the message and they declare -- let us go to bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the lord has made known to us. they want to see the word that has taken place. they want to see the context of the lyrics of the angels' words.

swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. they want to see the word that has happened. the word that is not only something uttered, but something done. something that cannot only be heard, but also seen. the word made flesh. our beautiful christmas carols contain a message. a word. the good news for each and every one of us. not talking about rudolph the snowman. i'm talking about silent night, holy night. i'm talking about joy to the world . that world that was in sin and air opining 'til he worth. that weary world that rejoices

glorious morn. to be able to hear, we must be able to listen. and to listen, there must be silence. the shepherds were people who lived in isolation. far from the towns. theirs was a life, an existence filled with silence. i often share with people that a few years ago when mother teresa visited us here in massachusetts, a huge crowd gathered to see her and i noticed people were lining up because she was giving out these little white cards. i thought to myself -- hmm, i wonder if that's her business card? maybe it has her cell phone number or e-mail address. or her twitter account. so, i got in line to get one of those white cards. i still have that white card with a photograph that a police woman took of me when i received

on that card is written -- the fruit of silence is prayer. the fruit of prayer is faith. the fruit of faith is love. the fruit of love is service. and the fruit of service is peace. what a wise program for a life of discipleship is contained in those words and it all begins with silence. it all begins with the silence of the night. the silence of bethlehem. in the silence, the shepherds hear the lyrics, not just the tune. the shepherds believe the word. and the words sent them from heaven to earth and they proceed along this path from light to darkness. from the extrordinary to the

above to the poverty below. and they are given the confirmation they need. because the lord the most high has taken the very same path they have. he's left behind the glory and gone into the dark world. into a child's apparent insignificant of any cannes. -- insignificance. into the poverty of the stable. this is the word and action and yet the shepherds do not know -- no one knows -- how far down into the darkness the word will lead. for the wood of the manger is already a harbinger of the wood of the cross. in the same way, the christian is placed on the streets of this world to find god amid the poor, the suffering, the hungry and the thirsty. pope francis has given us this

reminder that our vocation is to make god's mercy present and visible in the darkness of human suffering. we, ourselves, may be poor and in need of liberation. yet, at the same time, all of us have been given a share in the joy of deliverance and we are sent to be companions to those who are poor and in bondage. we are here with a purpose. god's purpose. and the mission that he has entrusted to us to make his our world. to be his hands and feet and his messengers. like the shepherds, we must make known the message that has been told us about this child. the gospel today says -- all who heard it were amazed by what they had been told by the shepherds. the joy of christmas comes from

receiving the good news. that our god loves us so much, he wants to be near us. he wants to share our lives, our sufferings, and our joys. he manifests himself in the face of a little child, because god's love never tires of loving us, never tires of forgiving us, never tires of giving us another chance. hearing that word is the source of our christmas joy. part of the message of christmas is that god comes to us in littleness. in simplicity. and in hiddenness. it is as in the old testament when the prophet elijah was told that the lord was going to pass by. the scriptures say a strong and heavy wind was rending the

rocks, but the lord was not in the wind. earthquake. but the lord was not in the earthquake. after the earthquake, there was a fire, but the lord was not in the fire. and after the fire, there was a tiny whispering sound. when he heard this, elijah covered his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. we are invited with the shepherds to the cave of bethlehem, to listen to the tiny whisper and to glimpse god's love in the face of a child. christmas is about joy. so, often people do not know the difference between being happy and having fun. for some people, their whole life is one long pursuit of having fun. and yet, often, they are the most miserable self-absorbed individuals you would ever want to meet. the joy of christmas is not the product of successful shopping

tales, or addictions to entertainment drugs or alcohol that are often frustrating attempts to self medication, to rescue one's self from depression, loneliness or a lack of purpose or meaning. the first christmas instructions given to the shepherds were -- don't be afraid. go to bethlehem. go into the darkness seeking god's loving presence. revealed in a child in poverty and in humility. christmas joy is about discovering that life must be lived in solidarity. the extreme individualism of our culture is poison whose antidote is community and solidarity. christmas joy is about discovering and building solidarity with our families, with our community, with the human beings on the planet. and with our creator. the first step toward solidarity

the message of the angels in that first christmas carol is that god must be glorified and there must be peace among peoples. in deed, we glorify god by being peace makers, by being people of reconciliation and mercy. this is the very important part of our mission as jesus' disciples. we all have opportunities to be peace makers in a world where there are so many divisions. so many many tensions. so many many conflicting interests. jesus tells us that when we draw near the altar to offer our gifts we must first go and be sisters. this command certainly applies to christmas as we draw near the manger to place our gifts. this is a time to ask for other. a time to build a peace that is real, because it reflects god's love and mercy. and if we spend the whole year

in the noise that keeps us from listening to the lyrics, christmas is an invitation to become a seeker. so journey into the night. to go to bethlehem and discover our hidden god who's in plain sight. the church is a community of seekers. some are saints and some are sinners. no family is perfect. but we gather around the manger, we gather around the altar that is christ's table, to become his family with all the in-laws and the outlaws, discipleship is always a call to community and solidarity. some people say oh, i'm not religious, but i'm spiritual. spirituality. sadly enough, that's an exercise in self-deception. we become disciples the way we learn a language. by living in a community that speaks the language.

to enjoy the beauty of the ceremonies, the music, and the lights. the real joy of christmas, however, is when those beautiful things allow us to discover in our selfs a nostalgia for an unseen beauty which resides in god. we are always so happy when brothers and sisters have been away for a long time come home. at christmas time, there are many who come back to church. sometimes because of nostalgia for the past, sometimes because of a tinge of guilt. sometimes because of a hunger for meaning. christmas can be a new beginning in our spiritual journey. at christmas, too, like the seekers. traveling into the night into the darkness and there to find god hidden in plain sight. god is present in his words and the lyrics as well as in the

god is present in his church, the community of faith, where two or three are gathered in his name and he promises to be in our midst. he's present in the sacraments that touch our lives at such significant moments. christ has given us himself as a gift. christmas can be a new beginning and a quest for meaning for solidarity. for community. thus isaiah the prophet urges us -- seek the lord while he may be found. call upon him while he is near. jesus tells us that if we seek, we shall find. and if we knock, it will be opened to us. this year the door of god's mercy is open before us. let us go through together as god's people so that we might discover how much the lord loves us and that experiencing his

what is good as st. paul says. christ founded his church to build a civilization of love and pope francis has declared this to be a jubilee year of mercy. in this year of mercy, when the world is experiencing the largest number of homeless refugees since the time of world war ii, and when in our own american cities so many many of our fellow citizens can say with jesus the foxes have dens and the birds of the air have their nests but i have nowhere to lay my head. so many christian customs and traditions recognize the fact that as today's gospel reminds us, there was no room in the inn. but now, we can change history. we can make room. we can make space for christ in our lives. the irish people used to put a candle in the window as a sign that their doors would be open for the holy family.

of persecution was an indication that a priest could come and celebrate a clandestine mass. the mexicans prepare for christmas by the posavas, the custom of carrying the statues of mary and joseph from house to house, asking for lodging, singing carols that reenact the dialogue between joseph and the inn maker. it always ends with the inn maker opening the door and inviting mary and joseph to come in so that the christ child can be born in his home. so as to change history and make the home available to jesus. to share in the joy of his loving presence. for all of us, chris christmas a very special time -- christmas is a very special time. a time when we, too, can become seekers. when like the shepherds, we can seek god, even in the darkness and in suffering. and there we will discover our

merry christmas. >> we have listened to god's word an we reflected upon it. let us make our profession of faith in response. 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, life from life, true god from true god. begotten not made, substantial with the father, through him all things were made. for us men and for our salvation, he came down from heaven. and by the holy spirit, was

became man. for our sake he was crucified under pontius pirate. 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 and 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, who with the father and the son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. i believe in one holy catholic and apastolic church. i confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. and i look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. amen. the lord be with you . >> and with your spirit. >> my dear friends let us confidently make known our needs

>> on this christmas day, we pray for francis our pope, for sean our archbishop, and for all who proclaim jesus the face of the father's mercy, we pray to the lord. >> lord hear our prayer. >> for the persecuted, the struggling immigrants, and for those who are grieving and all those whose lives seem dark and without hope, we pray to the lord. >> lord hear our prayer. >> as we prepare to begin a new year, that god will truly bless our families with great peace and deep love, we pray to the lord. >> lord hear our prayer. >> that the name and the message of jesus, the word of god born in bethlehem, may be faithfully proclaimed in our parishes and in every corner of the world, we pray to the lord. >> lord hear our prayer. >> for a true and lasting peace in our world, and the safety of all servicemen and women, we pray to the lord. >> lord hear our prayer.

grant peaceful rest to all our deceased brothers and sisters, especially the many and generous benefactors of the catholic tv network, we pray to the lord. >> lord hear our prayer. >> and we offer all of these prayers confidently to the intersession of mary, the mother in bethlehem, as together we pray -- hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee. blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus. holy mary mother of god pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

o little town of bethlehem how still we see thee nigh above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by yet in thy dark street shineeth the everlasting light the hopes and fears of all the years

>> pray, brothers and sisters that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to god the almighty father. >> may the lord accept the sacrifice. >> make acceptable o lord our ablation on this solemn day when you manifested the reconciliation that makes us wholly pleaseing in your sight and inaugurated for us the fullness of divine woreship for christ our lord. >> 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.

our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks. lord holy father almighty and eternal god. for in the mystery of the word made flesh, a new light of your glory has shone upon the eyes of our mind so that as we recognize in him god made visible we might be caught up with him in love invisible and so with angels and arch angels and with all the powers of heaven we sing the hymn of your glory as without end we acclaim -- holy holy holy lord god

are full of your glory hosannah in the highest hosannah in the highest hosannah in the highest hosannah in the highest >> you are in deed holy o lord, the font of all holiness. make holy therefore these gifts we pray by sending down your spirit upon them like the dewfall so that they may become for us the body and blood of our lord jesus christ.

entered willingly into his -- he took bread and giving thanks broke it and 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 the chalice and once more giving thanks he gave it 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

do this in memory of me. >> the mystery of faith. >> therefore, as we celebrate the member or nail of his death and -- the memorial of his death and resurrection, we offer you lord the bread of life and the chalice of salvation, giving thanks that you've held us worthy to be in your presence and minister to you, humbly we pray that partaking of the body and blood of christ, we may be gathered into one by the holy spirit.

spread throughout the world and bring her to the fullness of charity together with francis our pope, with me your unworthy servant, by assistant bishops and all the clergy. remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection and all who have died in your mercy. welcome them into the light of your face. have mercy on us all we pray. that with the blessed virgin mary mother of god, the blessed joseph her spouse, with the blessed apostles and all the saints who have pleased you throughout the ages, we may merit to be co-heirs to eternal life and may praise you through your son jesus christ. through him and with him and in him

in the unity of the holy spirit all glory and honor is yours forever and ever amen amen amen >> at the savior's command and formed 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 this day our daily bread

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 and 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 at 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. >> let us offer each other a

>> peace be with you. >> 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

>> let us pray.

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 ever more and more through christ our lord. >> amen. >> cardinal sean before you give us the blessing, i would just like to say a very sincere word of thanks to the daughters of st. paul for so many years, more than 30 years, you have helped us to pray so well by leading us in song and being part of the congregation and a part of our wonderful celebration of christmas mass. so, thank you to all of you and your very important ministry in the archdiocese throughout the country and throughout the world. thanks to our friends at channel 56 and channel 7 for helping us to extend this prayer our worship to so many hundreds of thousands of people. thank you so much for your service today and all your help each and every sunday when we

and of course on behalf of all of us, i want to say a special thanks to cardinal sean for taking the time to be here with us on christmas day to celebrate mass . i know that at our cathedral obviously we have a holy door and the door is open. we encourage people i know along with you cardinal sean to make a pilgrimage to the cathedral to pass through that door and experience more deeply the face of the father's mercy in jesus who was born today. but from all of us cardinal sean to you, thank you and we want to wish you a very, very merry christmas. >> thank you, father, and to all of your staff and people who work here, the work you do is so important to so many. a merry christmas to all. the lord be with you. >> and with your spirit. >> blessed be the name of the lord. >> now and forever. >> our help is in the name of the lord. >> who made heaven and earth. >> may almighty god bless you

holy spirit. >> amen. >> go in peace, glorifying the lord by your life. >> thanks be to god. joy to the world the lord is come let earth receive her king let every heart prepare him room and heaven and nature sing and heaven and nature sing and heaven and heaven

the glory of his righteousness and wonders of his love and wonders of his love and wonders wonders

>> we have worshiped god the father, son and holy spirit. the lord has invited us to the article tar and this has brought benefit to ourselves, the church and the whole world. any correspondent should be directed to father reid, catholic tv, box 9196 watertown, massachusetts, 04271 or download our free app and watch us online

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