Christmas Eve Hymns
The Nativity of the Lord
Christmas Eve Mass, 10:30 pm
Below are listed the music and lyrics of the hymns we will sing on this Solemnity to aid you in entering into the Liturgy. The Scripture readings can be found on the USCCB website.
Prelude: Away in a Manger
Ritual Song #522
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing; the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love you, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care,
And fit us for heaven to live with you there.
Text: St. 1-2, anonymous, st. 3, John T. McFarland, 1851-1913
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Entrance Hymn: O Come, All Ye Faithful / Adeste Fideles
Ritual Song #521
Adéste fidéles, laéti, triumphántes,
Veníte, veníte in Béthlehem.
Natum vidéte, Regem angelórum.
Veníte adorémus,
veníte adorémus,
veníte adorémus Dóminum.
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!
God of God, Light of Light,
Lo! He comes forth from the Virgin's womb.
Our very God, begotten not created,
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heav'n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be all glory giv'n;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
Text: Adeste fideles; John F. Wade, c.1711-1786; tr. by Frederick Oakeley, 1802-1880, alt. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE License #A-727305.
Gloria: Mass of St. Paul the Apostle
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. Amen.
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Responsorial Psalm
R: Today is born a savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.
Communion Hymn: What Child is This
Ritual Song #552
What child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary.
Why lies he in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear; for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
So bring him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone him.
Text: William C. Dix, 1827-1898
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Communion Hymn: Silent Night
Ritual Song #527
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.
Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav'nly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
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.
Text: Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht; Joseph Mohr, 1792-1849; tr. John F. Young, 1820-1885
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Concluding Hymn: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Ritual Song #550
Hark! the herald angels sing,
'Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled!'
Joyful, all you nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the<angelic host proclaim,
'Christ is born in Bethlehem!'
Hark! the herald angels sing,
'Glory to the newborn King!'
Christ, by highest heav'n adored,
Christ the everlasting Lord:
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the Virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see:
Hail the<incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
'Glory to the newborn King!'
Hail the heav'n born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Ris'n with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that we no more may die,
Born to raise us from the earth,
Born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
'Glory to the newborn King!'
Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, alt.
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Alternate Hymn: Angels We Have Heard on High
Ritual Song #524
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 tidings be,
Which inspire your heav'nly song.
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come adore, on bended knee,
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
See him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.
Text: Les anges dans nos campagnes; French, c. 18th C.; tr. from Crown of Jesus Music , London, 1862
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Alternate Hymn: The First Nowell
Ritual Song #554
The first Nowell, the angel did say,
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east, beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.
This star drew nigh to the northwest,
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest;
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Then entered in those wise men three,
Full rev'rently upon their knee,
And offered there, in his presence,
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heav'nly Lord;
Who with the Father we adore
And Spirit blest for evermore.
Text: English Carol, 17th C.
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