Proclamation of the Birth of Christ
(chanted at all Christmas Eve Masses and the Midnight Mass)

Today, the twenty-fifth day of December, unknown ages from the time
when God created the heavens and the earth and then formed man and woman in his own image.
Several thousand years after the flood, when God made the rainbow shine forth as a sign of the covenant.
Twenty-one centuries from the time of Abraham and Sarah;
thirteen centuries after Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt.
Eleven hundred years from the time of Ruth and the Judges;
one thousand years from the anointing of David as king;
in the sixty-fifth week according the prophecy of Daniel.
In the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad;
the seven hundred and fifty-second year from the foundation of the city of Rome,
the forty-second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus;
the whole world being at peace, Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father,
desiring to sanctify the world by his most merciful coming, being conceived by the Holy Spirit,
and nine months having passed since his conception, was born in Bethlehem of Judea of the Virgin Mary.
Today is the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh.

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Entrance Hymn - Adeste Fideles

Adeste fideles, laeti triumphantes venite, venite in Bethlehem.
Natum videte, Regem angelorum.
Venite adoremus, venite adoremus, venite adoremus Dominum!

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!

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning. Jesus to thee be all glory given.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord!