SMC ENGLISH MASS - The Nativity of the Lord (24 Dec 2025)

SMC English Mass -  The Nativity of the Lord (24 Dec 2025)

The Jubilee Prayer 2025

Pilgrims of Hope

Father in heaven, 

may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. 

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, 

Pilgrims of Hope, 

a yearning for the treasures of heaven. 

May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever 

Amen

PROCESSIONAL HYMN

O come, all ye faithful #C19 P.136

1. 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

2. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation
Sing all ye citizens of heav'n above
Glory to God in the highest

( * )

3. Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning
Jesus to Thee be glory giv'n
Word of the Father now in flesh appearing

( * )

Sign of the cross

Priest ✠ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Greeting

P✠: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

All: And with your spirit.

Penitential Act

P✠: Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

All: I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, (striking their breast) through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

P✠: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

All: Amen.

Kyrie Eleison

P✠: You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord, have mercy.

All: Lord, have mercy.

P✠: You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy.

All: Christ, have mercy.

P✠: You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: Lord, have mercy.

All: Lord, have mercy.

P✠: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

All: Amen.

Gloria

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. 

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. 

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. Amen.

Collect

P✠: Let us pray (pause)

O God, who have made this most sacred night

radiant with the splendor of the true light,

grant, we pray, that we, who have known the mysteries of his light on earth,

may also delight in his gladness in heaven.

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

All: Amen

1st Reading – Isaiah 9:1-6

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. 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 pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. For a child is born to 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, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this! - The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 96: 1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands. Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Announce his salvation, day after day. Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;

let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!

Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes; for he comes to rule the earth.

He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

2nd Reading – Titus 2:11-14

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 as his own, eager to do what is good.- The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Alleluia – Luke 2:10-11

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I proclaim to you good news of great joy: today a Savior is born for us,

Christ the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel – Luke 2:1-14

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius 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, to the city of David that 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 came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their 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 an 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 saying:

 “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” - The Gospel of the Lord. 

All: Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Nicene Creed

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 were 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 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 apostolic 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.

OFFERTORY HYMN

Silent Night #C25 P.138 

1. Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace

2. Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heav'nly hosts sing alleluia
Christ the Saviour is born. Christ the Saviour is born

3. 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

P✠: Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.

All: 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. 

Prayer over the Offerings

P✠: May the oblation of this day’s feast be pleasing to you, O Lord, we pray, that through this most holy exchange we may be found in the likeness of Christ, in whom our nature is united to you.

Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

All: Amen

P✠: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

P✠: Lift up your hearts.

All: We lift them up to the Lord.

P✠: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All: It is right and just.

P✠: It is truly right and just,.... , as with one voice we acclaim:

Sanctus

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. 

P✠: You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the…. 

At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his Passion, 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.

P✠: 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 FORGIVENESS OF SINS.

DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

P✠: The mystery of faith.

All: We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

P✠: Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his Death and Resurrection,..... 

P✠: Through him, and with him, and in him,

O God, almighty Father,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Lord’s Prayer

P✠: At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

All: 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, and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

P✠: 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.

All: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever.

P✠: 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 for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

P✠: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

All: And with your spirit.

P✠: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

Agnus Dei

All: 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.

P✠: Lord Jesus Christ,.... 

P✠: 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.

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

COMMUNION HYMN

O Holy Night #C22 P.137 

1. O holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth
Long lay the world in sin and sorrow pining
Till He appear'd and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

* Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices
O night divine, O night, when Christ was born
O night divine, O night, O night divine

2. Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of star so sweetly gleaming
Then came the wisemen from th’Orient land
To see the King who made earth's lowliest choices
Yea, chose His throne a manger all forlorn 

( * )

Mary's boy child #C17 P.135

* Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day - (x2)

1. Long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible says:
"Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day"

# Hark now hear the angels sing: "A new King's born today"
And men will live forevermore, because of Christmas Day

[Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day] - (last x2) 

2. While shepherds watch their flocks by night, they see a bright new shining star
They hear a choir sing a song, the music seems to come from afar

( # )

3. Now Joseph and his wife, Mary, came to Bethlehem that night
They found no place to bear the child, not a single room was in sight

And then they found a little nook, in a stable all forlorn
And in a manger, cold and dark, Mary's little boy was born

( # )

Prayer after Communion

P✠: Let us pray (pause)

Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God,

that we, who are gladdened by participation 

in the feast of our Redeemer’s Nativity,

may through an honorable way of life become worthy of union with him.

Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Prayer for the 

100th Anniversary of 

St. Margaret's Church

 

Merciful Father, we thank you for sending us enthusiastic missionaries who, jointly with Chinese priests, sowed the seeds of the Gospel a hundred years ago in this parish and established a community devoted to the worship of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Since we have inherited Your boundless love for all, we are committed to joyfully spread the love of the Sacred Heart and to actively build the church here.

As we celebrate the centenary of our parish church with gratitude, we pray that You send the Holy Spirit to assist us, grant us perseverance and patience, and guide us to become the salt and light of the world according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. May we bring the love experienced into our families and communities, as we spread the Gospel.

 

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever, Amen.

 

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

St. Margaret, pray for us!

P✠: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

Solemn Blessing

Bow down for the blessing.

(The priest, with hands extended over the people, says the blessing.)

May the God of infinite goodness,

who by the Incarnation of his Son has driven darkness from the world

and by that glorious Birth has illumined this most holy night,

drive far from you the darkness of vice

and illumine your hearts with the light of virtue.

All: Amen

P✠ 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.

All: Amen

P✠ 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.

All: Amen

P✠ And may the blessing of almighty God,

the Father, and the Son,  ✠ and the Holy Spirit,

come down on you and remain with you for ever.

All: Amen

P✠: Go forth, the Mass is ended.

All: Thanks be to God.

RECESSIONAL HYMN

Joy to the World #C15 P.134 

1. Joy to the world, the Lord has come
Let earth receive her King, let ev'ry heart prepare Him room
And heav'n and nature sing, and heav'n and nature sing
And heav'n, and heav'n and nature sing

2. Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns
Let men their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

3. No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground, He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found
Far as, far as the curse is found

4. He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove, He glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love, and wonders of His love
And wonders, and wonders of His love

 Joy to the world, the Lord has come
Let earth receive her King

  🎶   🎶   🎶 V🎶   🎶V

Warm wishes from SMC folk choir

We wish you a Merry Christmas 

Once in a year, it is not thought amiss

To visit our neighbors and sing out like this

[We wish you a merry Christmas] - (x3)
And a happy New Year!

[We wish you a merry Christmas] - (x3)
And a happy New Year!

* Good tidings we bring
To you and your kin
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year!

[We all want some figgy pudding] (x3)
And a cup of good cheer! 

[We won't go until we get some] (x3)
So bring it right here!

* Good tidings we bring
To you and your kins
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year!

[We wish you a merry Christmas] - (x3)
And a Happy New Year!