Thursday, 25 December 2025 The Nativity of our Lord

Thursday, 25 December 2025
The Nativity of our Lord 
Antiphons and Readings on p. 115 of the Daily Missal.

Entrance Antiphon
The Lord said to me: You are my Son. It is I who have begotten you this day.

First Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7

A reading from the Book of Isaiah.

The people who walked in darknesshave seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of their burden,
and the staff for their shoulder,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us, a child is born,
to us, a son is given;
and the government will be upon his shoulder,
and his name will be called
“Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end, 
upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom,
to establish it, and to uphold it 
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore. 
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 11-12, 13 (R. cf. Luke 2:11)

R/. To us is born this day a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

O sing a new song to the Lord;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
O sing to the Lord; bless his name.

Proclaim his salvation day by day.
Tell among the nations his glory,
and his wonders among all the peoples.

Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad;
let the sea and all within it thunder praise.
Let the land and all it bears rejoice.

Then will all the trees of the wood shout for joy
at the presence of the Lord, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice;
he will govern the peoples with his truth.

R/. To us is born this day a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

Second Reading: Titus 2:11-14

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to Titus.

Brothers and sisters: 
The grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all people, 
training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions 
and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, 
awaiting our blessed hope, 
the appearing of the glory 
of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, 
who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity 
and to purify for himself a people of his own 
who are zealous for good deeds.

The Word of the Lord.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
I bring you good news of a great joy:
to us is born this day a Saviour, Christ the Lord.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 2:1-14

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus 
that all the world should be enrolled. 
This was the first enrolment 
when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 
And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. 
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, 
from the city of Nazareth to Judea, 
to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, 
because he was of the house and lineage of David, 
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 

And while they were there, 
the time came for her to be delivered. 
And she gave birth to her first-born son 
and wrapped him in swaddling clot