The Four-fold Service of the Christ-Mass

A very merry Christmas to you, dear reader, on this Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord, this Christmas Eve.

It is the Eve of Christmas, the Eve, the Eve of the Christ-Mass. A high feast in the Church's Calendar and of great significance for our Christian faith. Lost amid all the fights about when Christmas starts (today) and the increasing secular celebrations surrounding it is the fact that Christmas is an incredibly rich feast. It is so rich in significance for our faith that over time the church has evolved three distinct masses (at three distinct times of the day) to contain it all. 

Although these three masses are often contracted into two, these are three celebrations. Here in our LC–MS, there is even a fourth celebration added, for earlier in the day on Christmas Eve (p.s. some might argue there are still just three celebrations, with the so-called "first" taking place early on Christmas Eve, before the sundown start of the feast... but let's not quibble. I'm calling it four). The services, which together comprise a distinct whole, are as follows:

The First Mass of the Christ-Mass, Christmas Eve
  The Announcement to Joseph of the Birth of Christ

Introit: Psalm 24:1, 3-5; antiphon: Psalm 2:6-7

Verse: Alleluia. The Lord said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you." Alleluia.

Collect: O God, You make us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that as we joyfully receive Him as our Redeemer, we may with sure confidence behold Him when He comes to be our Judge.

Old Testament: Isaiah 7:10-14.

Epistle: 1 John 4:7-16.

Holy Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25.

The Second Mass of the Christ-Mass, at midnight
  The Historical Birth in Bethlehem

Introit Psalm 2:1-2, 4-6; antiphon: Liturgical Text.

Verse: Alleluia. Oh come, let us sing to the Lord. Let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! Alleluia.

Collect: O God, You make this most holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that as we have known the mysteries of that Light on earth we may also come to the fullness of His joys in heaven.

Old Testament: Isaiah 9:2-7.

Epistle: Titus 2:11-15.

Gospel: Luke 2:1-14.

The Third Mass of the Christ-Mass, at dawn
  The Spiritual Birth in the Believer

Introit: Psalm 93:102,5; antiphon Isaiah 9:2a, 6a, 6c.

Verse: Alleluia. The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Alleluia.

Collect: Most merciful God, You gave Your eternal Word to become incarnate of the pure Virgin. Grant Your people grace to put away fleshly lusts, that they may be ready for Your visitation.

Old Testament: Micah 5:2-5a.

Epistle: Titus 3:4-7.

Gospel: Luke 2:15-20.

The Fourth Mass o the Christ-Mass, during the day
  The Eternal Generation in the Trinity

Introit: Psalm 98:1-4; antiphon: Isaiah 9:6.

Alleluia. A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, all you nations, and worship the Lord. Alleluia.

Collect: Almighty god, grant that the birth of Your only-begotten Son in the flesh may set us free from the bondage of sin.

Old Testament: Exodus 40:17-21, 34-38.

Epistle: Titus 3:4-7.

Gospel: John 1:1-14.