Universal Prayers for The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord/Christmas, Cycle A

Sunday and Feast Day Universal Prayers 
 

Suggestions for Leading Worship

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SAMPLE UNIVERSAL PRAYERS

The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord/Christmas, Cycle A

December 25, 2025

Priest:  With joy that our Savior has come into our midst, we lift up our prayers to him in faith:

Deacon (or other reader if there is no deacon):

·        For the Church, that we may live out our baptismal call to follow Christ and to share with others the joy of God’s presence among us, we pray to the Lord...

·        For the world, that people of all nations, ethnicities, races, orientations, and religions may live together in harmony, united by mutual compassion and God-like mercy, we pray to the Lord...

·        For the poor, the lowly, and the marginalized of society, that their burdens may be lifted, and that they may find hope in the saving power of Christ, we pray to the Lord...

·        For military personnel, aid workers, and all whose jobs will keep them away from loved ones on Christmas, that they may be richly blessed for the work they do on behalf of the common good, and that they may be protected from harm and brough home safely, we pray to the Lord…

·        For those experiencing physical or mental illness, that they may be healed and made whole by the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray to the Lord…

·        For all who have died, especially [add deceased names or “parishioners of” (add name)], and the intentions of this mass [add mass intentions], may they dwell secure with the Lord forever, we pray to the Lord...

·        In silence, we pray for own needs and the special intentions of others, to the God who promises to return for those who live in his love… [pause; the presider alone concludes…]

Priest: Heavenly Father; you sent your Son to be Emmanuel, “God with us,” to be our Wonder-Counselor, our God-Hero, our Prince of Peace.  He who is fully divine has become fully human that he might enter into our lives and redeem and make holy all that we experience.  Open our hearts to welcome your Son that he might dwell among us, rescuing us from the powers of darkness and bringing us into his marvelous light.  Through Christ our Lord.  

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LITURGY NEWS AND NOTES:

The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord/Christmas, Cycle A

December 25, 2025

1.       A sample penitential act could be:

Lord Jesus, you are Emmanuel, “God with us”; Lord, have mercy.   

Christ Jesus, you are the Light of the World who dispels the darkness; Christ, have mercy.  

Lord Jesus, you are the Word made flesh who dwells among us; Lord, have mercy.

2.     Consider the sprinkling rite in lieu of the PA; however, a sung setting of form III would add to the solemnity of the season. 

3.     The Gloria is sung or said; use a magnificent setting. 

4.    In the worship aid, remind the assembly that during the creed all kneel when the incarnation is mentioned.  Because this is out of the normal routine, it is easy to forget and not understand the gesture.  The creed may be chanted.  

5.     To highlight the festivity of these Christmas days, presiders might consider at least chanting the introductory dialogue and the preface to the EP.

6.    Presiders may choose to use P-I, P-II, or P-III of the Nativity of the Lord.

7.     If using EP-I, the proper form of the Communicantes should be used. 

8.    Pull out all the stops for this great feast of the incarnation, --use the best vestments, linens, and vessels (be sure to clean them before the season), and include a more elaborate Gospel procession.

9.    The SB for the Nativity of the Lord (2) may be used.