GATHERING

While Christmas Eve tends to focus on the birth, the Christmas Day Mass focuses on the incarnational aspect of the birth – the Word became flesh.
Confession and Forgiveness – Omit; include bid for forgiveness during the intercessions.

This liturgy is certainly an opportunity to sing Christmas carols.  Use them as Gathering Hymns and Distribution Hymns.

A possible Greeting:

In many and various ways God spoke to our ancestors of old by the prophets.

But now in these last days, God has spoken to us by a Son.

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

And also with you.

Hymn of Praise — If John 1.1-14 is used as the Gospel text, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (which uses the phrase “veiled in flesh”) would be appropriate.

Prayer of the Day — Almighty God, you wonderfully created …if John 1.1-14 is used.

WORD

There are two sets of lessons for Christmas Day.  Proper II is for a Mass at dawn; Proper III is for a Mass later on Christmas Day.

The Christ-Mass is a perfect opportunity for a Gospel Procession.  The Procession is visible sign of the “Word becomes flesh”, as the Gospel (=Christ) moves into the midst of the assembly.  ELW 288 might be sung during the procession, singing stanzas 1-2 on the way out, stanza 3 on the way back.

MEAL

An introduction to the Peace might be:

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace.

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

Offertory — “What Child Is This?”, especially stanza 3 (So bring him incense, gold and myrrh).

SENDING

For the dismissal:

A         You are The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord.

C         We have been sought out; we have not been forsaken.

A         Go in peace, and say to the world, “Your God reigns!”  Alleluia, alleluia!

C         Thanks be to God!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!