DECEMBER 24, VIGIL OF CHRISTMAS Lectionary #13

The Vigil readings focus on Jesus' connection to the history of Israel. These readings are used at Mass celebrated on the evening of December 24, either before or after Evening Prayer I of Christmas. These texts may also be used on Christmas Day along with one or another of the three sets of readings for Christmas.

Isaiah 62:1-5. Preaching to the community after the Babylonian Exile, the prophet who is called "Third Isaiah" looks at a ruined city and prophesies its glorious resurrection. The cause for hope is that God is bonded to Israel, so that Israel's history is part of God's unfolding plan.

Psalm for Vigil Mass: Ps (88) 89
Though the whole psalm is a royal lament, in which the king speaks for the people, the passages we sing at the Vigil contain the praise of God for remaining faithful to the covenant.

Cantaré Eternamente (Martínez)  FYC 228/Una Voz 202
Cantaré Eternamente/For Ever I Will Sing, estrofas 1, 2, 3 (Reza)  FYC 229
Cantaré Eternamente/For Ever I Will Sing (Reza)   JS 64
For Ever I Will Sing (Alstott)   JS 63/BB
For Ever I Will Sing (Carroll/Gelineau)  WOR 778/RS 119/LPGG 778/SS
For Ever I Will Sing (della Picca)   PRM B5/PMB 566/WS
For Ever I Will Sing (Foley) PCY7 29
For Ever I Will Sing (Guimont)   GC 953/RS 117/LPMG 13
For Ever I Will Sing (Haugen)  PCY2 27/GC 82/GC 49/CBW 448/RS 118/SS
For Ever I Will Sing (Hughes)  CCS 2027          
For Ever I Will Sing (Janco)  GIA 34641
For Ever I Will Sing (Kogut) PCY10 41
For Ever I Will Sing (Kreutz)   PMB 157/WC 400/WS
For Ever I Will Sing/Cantaré Eternamente (Krisman)   SS
For Ever I Will Sing (Ridge)  MI‑BB 785/GP 226/SP3 53
For Ever I Will Sing (Schiavone)   LP 20/JS 890
For Ever I Will Sing (Schoenbachler)  GP 227/SP1 52/MI-BB
For Ever I Will Sing (Somerville)  CBW 27
For Ever I Will Sing (Twynham)  CCS 2022

Acts 13:16-17, 22-25. Preaching to a Jewish congregation, Paul summarizes the Christian teaching that Jesus was part of God's plan for Israel and was a descendant of David.

Matthew 1:1-25. The "family record" of Jesus Christ connects him to all of Israelite history, schematized in three groups. It also connects Jesus to non-Israelite history through the women (other than Mary) included in this list, who were all non-Jews.

[For other songs for the liturgy, see suggestions for the Solemnity of Christmas.]