Please bear in mind this is the primary mass of the year for Evangelisation when families are gathered together and children returning home may attend mass with parents, or "non-Catholics" attend with their spouse or partners. Language is crucial in helping everyone draw closer to the Messiah born this day. Which of these two translations do you think helps in this important mission?
 
2011 Missal
 
Collect

O God, who wonderfully created the dignity of human nature
and still more wonderfully restored it,
grant, we pray,
that we may share in the divinity of Christ,
who humbled himself to share in our humanity.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Prayer over the Offerings

Make acceptable, O Lord, our oblation on this solemn day, 
when you manifested the reconciliation 
that makes us wholly pleasing in your sight
and inaugurated for us the fullness of divine worship.
Through Christ our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Grant, O merciful God,
that, just as the Saviour of the world, born this day,
is the author of divine generation for us,
so he may be the giver even of immortality.
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1998 Missal
 
Opening Prayer
 
O God,
you wonderfully created human nature
and even more wonderfully restored its dignity.
Give us the grace to share in the divinity of Christ,
who humbled himself to share in our humanity.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
 
Prayer over the Gifts
 
Lord,
on this solemn day accept the offering
which has brought us reconciliation and perfect peace
and is the full expression of our worship.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.
 
Prayer After Communion
 
Merciful God,
grant that the Saviour of the world,
who was born this day
to bring us new and divine life,
may bestow upon us the gift of life everlasting.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.