Suggested Songs for December 24 and 25 Masses

Repost from JR Medina's post from Bukas Palad Board

SONG LINE UP SUGGESTIONS 
Tuesday, 24 Dec 2013
Mass at Midnight

For your convenience, for the most part, I just fixed the dates and made some revisions.

Liturgical Color: White

Readings

1R: Isaiah 9:1-6 Israel will again be great.
1. The people who walk in darkness shall see a great light: a light that will shine on all those who live in the land of the shadow of death.
2. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders. 

RP: 96 Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

2R: Titus 2:11-14 
Beloved, the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires. 

Alleluia, alleluia. I proclaim to you good news of great joy: today a Savior is born for us, Christ the Lord, Alleluia. Alleluia.

G: From Luke 2:1-14: The birth of Jesus
1. Bethlehem: For today in the city of David a Savior has been born.
2. She gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger.
3. Shepherds keeping the night watch
4. Angels praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those whom His favor rests.” 

Filipino:

E: 
1. Gumising (Pagsanghan/Francisco)
2. Himig ng Hangin (Arboleda, Agatep)
3. Oyayi (Aquino)
4. Pasko Na! (Pagsanghan, Agatep, Arboleda, Francisco)
5. Pasko ng Paglaya (Arboleda, Francisco)
6. Pasko’y Sumapit Na (Isidro, Que)
7. Pag-aalaala (Francisco) “inalipin” and “mahabagin” are so G.

Merong Gloria.

Merong Alleluia.

P of the G:
1. Pag-aalay (Francisco) Stanza 4 ang priority. “Gawin pati aming buhay, ‘pagkat sa ‘Yo dumalisay.”
2. Sumasamo Kami (Judan)

C: 
1. Ang Diyos na Sanggol (Hontiveros)
2. Bituin (Aquino)
3. Emmanuel (Gozum, Francisco)
4. Isang Sanggol (Ramirez)
5. Noong Paskong Una (Pagsanghan, Francisco)
6. E3 if not used as entrance song
7. Paglamig ng Hangin (Francisco)
8. Villancico Flamenco (See, Honriveros, Mehlemans)
9. Awit ng Paghilom (Aquino) 
10. Diyos Ay Pag-ibig “Magmahalan tayo’t magtulungan” 
11. O Hesus, Hilumin Mo (Francisco) “Nang aking mahango kapwa kong kasimbigo” 
12. Pagbabalik (Alcaraz, Francisco) 
13. Likhain Mong Muli (Alejo, Francisco) 
14. Pag-alabin Aming Puso (Francisco) 
15. Pagpalain Kailanman (Aquino) 


R: 
1. E4 if not used as entrance song
2. E6 if not used as entrance song


English:

E: 
1. A Christmas Praise (Aquino & Agatep)
2. Adeste Fidelis
3. City of God “The people in darkness have seen a great light” is a quick introduction to 1R No. 1. 
4. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
5. Hodie Christus Natus Est
6. Joy to the World


P of the G: Friendly Options

1. Earthen Vessels (John Foley) “Light has shown in our darkness” is reminiscent of 1R No. 1
2. How Shall I Sing to God. Prioritize Stanza 3.
3. We Remember (Marty Haugen). First, make sure this is not one of your service songs. If it is not one of your service songs, consider singing this revised version: 

We remember how You love us: through His Birth.
And now we celebrate for He is with us here.
And we believe that we will see Him when He comes in His glory.
Lord, we remember, we celebrate, we believe.

Then go straight to Stanza 2.

C: Friendly Options. Malamang puno ang simbahan, so malamang madami magkoCommunion. Please prepare a 2nd Communion Song.

1. O Holy Night
2. O Little Town of Bethlehem
3. Silent Night
4. The First Noel. Do not sing Stanza 3, as this is about the three wise men. Wala pa naman sa Gospel for this Sunday sila. Reserve it for the Sunday of the Epiphany of the Lord.
5. Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
6. God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen (2nd Communion Song)
7. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (2nd Communion Song)
8. Panis Angelicus (2nd Communion Song). I know this is a song associated with Corpus Christi. Ask your PP or Music Ministry. They'll probably see the associations. 
9. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (2nd Communion Song)

R: 
1. Angels we have heard on high. Many other grand Gloria in excelsis Deo versions would also do.
2. E6 if not used as entrance song

SONG LINE UP SUGGESTIONS 
Wednesday, 25 Dec 2013
Mass during the Day
For your convenience, for the most part, I just fixed the dates and revised some details. This is almost the same as in previous years.

Liturgical Color: White


Readings

1R: Isaiah 52:7-10 says: Let Zion rejoice for the Lord shall restore it. The Lord bared His arm in the sight of all the nations. All the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God.

RP: Ps 98: All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

2R: From Hebrews 1:1-6: Previously God spoke to mankind through the prophets, but now, it is through His Son, Who is as the Father is, superior to all.

G: 

1. John the Evangelist’s exalted “In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.”
2. John the Baptist is not the light, but will testify to the true Light Who is about to come.

Important Ideas: God the Father and God the Son; the Word of God and the Son of God is/are one and the same

Filipino:

E: 
1. Gumising (Pagsanghan/Francisco)
2. Himig ng Hangin (Arboleda, Agatep)
3. Oyayi (Aquino)
4. Pasko Na! (Pagsanghan, Agatep, Arboleda, Francisco)
5. Pasko ng Paglaya (Arboleda, Francisco) Stanza 1’s “Bayan magalak sa Mabuting Balita” is a short introduction to G1.
6. Pasko’y Sumapit Na (Isidro, Que)
7. Purihi’t Pasalamatan (Simplicio Esteban & Eddie Hontiveros SJ). Sing only Stanzas 1 & 2.
8. Bayan, Magsiawit Na! (Aquino) Prioritize Stanza 2.
9. Dinggin Mo “Bigyan Mo kami ng liwanag, tibay at pananalig” is reminiscent of G No. 2
10. Halina at Lumapit (Ruben Habito)
11. Magpuri sa Panginoon (Hontiveros)
12. Pagmamahal sa Panginoon (also Honti)

Merong Gloria.

Alleluia. This is an excellent Sunday to sing the Alleluia that goes: “Salamat sa Diyos (2x), Sa Wika Mong banal, salamat po. Salamat sa Diyos (2x), Sa Bugtong Mong Anak, salamat po. Aleluya! (7x)

P of the G: Narito Ako (Rene San Andres) “Sa kasulatan ‘Yong turo” is a quick reminder of the Word of God.

C: 
1. Ang Diyos na Sanggol (Hontiveros)
2. Bituin (Aquino) JC is “giliw ng Diyos” in Koro 1.
3. Emmanuel (Gozum, Francisco)
4. Isang Sanggol (Ramirez)
5. Noong Paskong Una (Pagsanghan, Francisco)
6. Paglamig ng Hangin (Francisco)
7. Villancico Flamenco (See, Honriveros, Mehlemans)
8. Ama Kong Mahal (Aquino)
9. Pag-ibig Mo Ama


R: 
1. E4 if not used as entrance song
2. E6 if not used as entrance song


English:

E: 
1. A Christmas Praise (Aquino & Agatep)
2. Adeste Fidelis
3. City of God “The people in darkness have seen a great light” is a quick introduction to 1R. 
4. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
5. Hodie Christus Natus Est
6. Joy to the World
7. All the ends of the earth (Tito Bob) an intro to 1R and RP.



P of the G: Friendly Options

We Remember (Marty Haugen). First, make sure this is not one of your service songs. If it is not one of your service songs, consider singing this revised version: 

We remember how You love us: through His Birth.
And now we celebrate for He is with us here.
And we believe that we will see Him when He comes in His glory.
Lord, we remember, we celebrate, we believe.

Then go straight to Stanza 2.

C: Friendly Options. Malamang puno ang simbahan, so malamang madami magkoCommunion. Please prepare a 2nd Communion Song.

1. O Holy Night
2. O Little Town of Bethlehem
3. Silent Night
4. The First Noel. Do not sing Stanza 3, as this is about the three wise men. Wala pa naman sa Gospel for this Sunday sila. Reserve it for the Sunday of the Epiphany of the Lord.
5. Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming Stanza 3’s “True man, yet very God” is the very message of G.
6. God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen (2nd Communion Song)
7. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (2nd Communion Song)
8. Panis Angelicus (2nd Communion Song). I know this is a song associated with Corpus Christi. Ask your PP or Music Ministry. They'll probably see the associations. 
9. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (2nd Communion Song)
10. God with us (Schutte) Consider making this as a 2nd Communion Song.

R: 
1. Angels we have heard on high. Many other grand Gloria in excelsis Deo versions would also do.
2. E6 if not used as entrance song
3. The Work of Christmas (Arboleda)
4. Carol of the Bells

Suggested Songs for December 22, 2013 Mass

December 22, 2013

4th Sunday of Advent Year A

"The Virgin shall conceive and bear a son"

Entrance:

1. Halina, Jesus

2. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Reading 1    IS 7:10-14

The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying:
Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God;
let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky!
But Ahaz answered,
“I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!”
Then Isaiah said:
Listen, O house of David!
Is it not enough for you to weary people,
must you also weary my God?
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:
the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall name him Emmanuel.

Responsorial Psalm                PS 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R. (7c and 10b) Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.

Reading 2            ROM 1:1-7

Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus,
called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God,
which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
the gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh,
but established as Son of God in power
according to the Spirit of holiness
through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through him we have received the grace of apostleship,
to bring about the obedience of faith,
for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles,
among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ;
to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel                   MT 1:18-24

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel, 
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.

Homily

"The virgin shall conceive and bear a son." [Mt. 1:23] Today, celebrating the last Sunday of Advent prior to the Feast of Christmas Day, to some extent, we can associate with the greatest joy of the Blessed Virgin Mary who awaited the coming of Baby Jesus into the world. In six days, we will commemorate the birth of her beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus, God incarnated. For some, the celebration of the incarnation shall begin on Christmas Eve through their participation at the Midnight Mass.

During today's First Reading, [Is. 7:10-14] the Lord God spoke through the great prophet Isaiah. The Lord said to Ahaz, the son of Jotham who succeeded the eleventh king of Israel around 735 B.C., "Ask for a sign of the Lord your God; let it be as far down as Hell or as far up as Heaven." [Is. 7:10-1] Ahaz answered, "I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test." [Is. 7:12]

Why did Ahaz reject God's offer to provide a sign when past signs related to Divine intervention in the history of mankind? To answer that question, it is necessary to understand a bit of the history that was taking place during those days.

The political situation in those days was that king Rezin of Aram and king Pekah of Israel (Ephraim) had joined together to invade Jerusalem. They were threatening to also invade Judah unless Ahaz joined them. Ahaz's advisers urged him to join Jerusalem against Rezin and Pekah. But Isaiah foresaw disaster in that path. Today's First Reading from the Book of Isaiah is the first of five Chapters in which Isaiah attempts to discourage Ahaz from going against Rezin and Pekah while providing him with the Lord's God's encouragement in the present situation.

So why did Ahaz reject God's offer to provide a sign? Most likely it is because Ahaz did not want Isaiah's advice. Although Ahaz would not ask for a sign, God still gave him one. Over 700 years before the event, Isaiah prophesied that through the House of David, a young woman would be with Child and she shall bear a Son, naming Him Immanuel. [Is. 7:13-4]

Did you know that the passages from Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23 have been the center of debates between theologians for centuries? Why? Because in the Old Testament, the inspired Word of God refers to a "young woman." In the New Testament, while it is supposed to be a quote of the first passage, the "young woman" has been replaced with the word "virgin." Therefore, the question is, "Was the virginity of Mary prophesied 700 years before the event?"

When reviewing Isaiah's inspired writings, he does not use the word "virgin." Rather, he uses a word that means a "young woman" of marriageable age, without reference if she would be a virgin or not. There are two possible explanations as to why a change of words may have occurred.

In the first instance, Saint Matthew may have changed the words "young woman" to "virgin" to reveal to the world that the mother of Jesus had experienced a virgin birth.

In the second instance, Saint Matthew may have used an Hebrew translation of the Old Testament that implied a "virgin" versus a "young woman." If this is the case, the hand of the Holy Spirit was at work in this situation. Sometime between the days of Isaiah and the day of the birth of the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit may have guided those who copied the Scriptures from generation to generation and the translators to change the words "young woman" to "virgin" in order to reflect more accurately the manifestation of the power of God that was about to take place through the incarnation.

No matter what the circumstances, the tradition of the Holy Catholic Church has always taught the belief that Mary experienced a virgin birth and that the faithful have joyfully embraced that belief.

Today's Second Reading from the Letter to the Romans [Rom. 1:1-7] affirmed that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, descended from king David [Rom. 1:3] as prophesied through Isaiah. This affirmation is also found in Matthew 1:1 and 2 Timothy 2:8. Furthermore, Our Lord Jesus was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead. [Rom. 1:4]

Through Christ the first disciples received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of the Most Holy Name Jesus. [Rom. 1:5] What does it mean to "bring about the obedience of faith?" That answer is found in the Letter of Paul to the Romans.

"But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!' But not all have obeyed the goodness; for Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed our message?' So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the Word of Christ." [Rom. 10:14-7] Faith begins by "hearing" the Word of God, this followed by a personal commitment to obey the calling of our Lord in submission.

This calling of obedience of faith is a calling to the entire human race. It is a calling to each and everyone of us to feed upon the Word of God for our spiritual growth so that we may go forward to teach and defend the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus.

Today's Reading from the Gospel of Matthew [Mt. 1:18-24] provides us with the circumstances surrounding the virgin birth of Mary. When Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. [Mt. 1:18] When reference is made to Mary being engaged to Joseph, it means that the marriage contract had been drawn up between Joseph, or his parents, and the parents of Mary. According to the Jewish custom, the marriage did not take place until such time as the groom had taken the bride into his house. When doing so, this was referred to having "come together" or "live together."

Had Joseph departed from Mary, this would not have been viewed as a "divorce" in the full sense of the word. While Mary and Joseph were engaged, they had not "come together" as of yet. Equally, pre-marital unchastity was not viewed as "adultery" in the full sense because Mary and Joseph had not "come together" as of yet. As such, Joseph could have quietly retracted the marriage agreement to dismiss Mary by signing a declaration in the presence of witnesses without having to state the reasons in public.

While Joseph was preoccupied with the pregnancy of Mary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. As we all heard, the angel of the Lord told Joseph, the son of David, not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, for the child conceived in her was from the Holy Spirit. [Mt. 1:20] These words indirectly support that the birth of Jesus was a virgin birth.

The angel of the Lord told Joseph that the Son of Mary should be called Jesus because He will save His people. When studying the origin and development of the name Jesus, it is learned that it means "Yahweh is salvation." Therefore it was being revealed that while Jesus would be an agent of salvation for God's people, this would be salvation from their sins and not from worldly enemies or the dangers associated with nature.

All of this took place to fulfill the prophecy that had been spoken through the great prophet Isaiah. "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us." [Mt. 1:23]

"When Joseph awoke from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife." [Mt. 1:24] How beautiful are the virtues of obedience and trust in the Lord God! Plentiful are the graces of the Lord upon those who submit themselves to the Divine progressive plan for humanity.

The Lord has come, the Lord is here, and the Lord is coming again. In two days, we will commemorate His coming on earth in human flesh. This moment of worship, a great Feast that unites Heaven and earth, will be one of joy and praise for all the faithful who will gather around the spiritual table of the Lord to receive the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

Now is the last chance to prepare ourselves for this great moment. Now is the last chance to repent of our sins with a sincerity of heart and to receive the Sacrament of Confession.

As we continue with the celebration of the Holy Mass, let us remember those who have not yet prepared themselves for the coming of the Lord. Let us ask the Spirit of Jesus to implant within their hearts the urgency of being and remaining in a state of grace.

Offertory:

1. Tanging Alay ko

2. Unang Alay

3. Christify

4. Dwelling Place

Communion:

1. Panginoon

2. Oyayi

3. The Face of God

4. God with Us

Recessional:

1. Panginoon Hanggang Kailan

2. The King of Glory

3. Wait for the Lord