INVITATORY
The Invitatory is said when this is the first ‘hour’ of the day.
Lord, + open my lips.
— And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
The antiphon is repeated. In individual recitation, the antiphon may be said only at the beginning of the psalm; it need not be repeated after each strophe.
Psalm 95
A call to praise God
Encourage each other daily while it is still today (Hebrews 3:13).
Come, let us sing to the Lord *
and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.
Let us approach him with praise and thanksgiving *
and sing joyful songs to the Lord.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
The Lord is God, the mighty God, *
the great king over all the gods.
He holds in his hands the depths of the earth *
and the highest mountains as well.
He made the sea; it belongs to him, *
the dry land, too, for it was formed by his hands.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
Come, then, let us bow down and worship, *
bending the knee before the Lord, our maker.
For he is our God and we are his people, *
the flock he shepherds.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
Today, listen to the voice of the Lord: †
Do not grow stubborn, as your fathers did
in the wilderness, *
when at Meriba and Massah
they challenged me and provoked me, *
Although they had seen all of my works.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
Forty years I endured that generation. *
I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray
and they do not know my ways.”
So I swore in my anger, *
“They shall not enter into my rest.”
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
If the Invitatory is not said, then the following is used:
God, + come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
HYMN
Observing fully rites prescribed by Moses’ pen,
Christ deigned to follow precepts of the sacred Law,
who rules and governs in the Father’s citadel
resplendent orders, rank on rank of angel hosts,
and made the cosmos, earth and sky and teeming sea.
His blessed Mother in her chaste and holy arms
brought to the Temple God beneath a veil of flesh;
her sweetest kisses pressed the closed and silent lips
of him, all holy, who in truth is God and Man,
by whose commanding all created things were made.
This light of nations shining forth before their eyes
is radiant glory for the house of Israel;
this child is destined for the fall of those who sin
and for salvation offered by ev’ry tribe and tongue,
till all the secrets of the heart have been revealed.
Praise to the Father, endless glory through all time,
all rule and splendor be to you, Begotten Son,
all pow’r and honor to the Holy Paraclete:
so to the perfect, undivided Three in One,
be all salvation through the ages evermore. Amen.
Tune: ANNUE CHRISTE 12 12 12 12 12
Music: from François Feillée’s Methode de plain-chant, 1782, adapted by ICEL 2021
or Mode IV, melody 792; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983*
Text: Legis sacratæ sanctis cæremoniis, attributed to Saint Paulinus of Aquileia, ca. 726-802, © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 This child is destined for the fall and for the rising of many.
Psalm 2
The Messiah, king and conqueror
The rulers of the earth joined forces to overthrow Jesus, your anointed Son (Acts 4:27).
Why this tumult among nations, *
among peoples this useless murmuring?
They arise, the kings of the earth, *
princes plot against the Lord and his Anointed.
“Come let us break their fetters, *
come, let us cast off their yoke.”
He who sits in the heavens laughs; *
the Lord is laughing them to scorn.
Then he will speak in his anger, *
his rage will strike them with terror.
“It is I who have set up my king *
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
I will announce the decree of the Lord:
The Lord said to me: “You are my Son. *
It is I who have begotten you this day.
Ask and I shall bequeath you the nations, *
put the ends of the earth in your possession.
With a rod of iron you will break them, *
shatter them like a potter’s jar.”
Now, O kings, understand, *
take warning, rulers of the earth;
serve the Lord with awe *
and trembling, pay him your homage
lest he be angry and you perish; *
for suddenly his anger will blaze.
Blessed are they who put their trust in God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Lord God, you gave the peoples of the world to be the inheritance of your only Son; you crowned him as King of Zion, your holy city, and gave him your Church to be his Bride. As he proclaims the law of your eternal kingdom, may we serve him faithfully, and so share his royal power forever.
Ant. This child is destined for the fall and for the rising of many.
Ant. 2 Arise and shine, Jerusalem, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.
Psalm 19A
Praise of the Lord, Creator of all
The dawn from on high shall break on us . . . to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:78, 79).
The heavens proclaim the glory of God *
and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands.
Day unto day takes up the story *
and night unto night makes known the message.
No speech, no word, no voice is heard †
yet their span extends through all the earth, *
their words to the utmost bounds of the world.
There he has placed a tent for the sun; †
it comes forth like a bridegroom coming from his tent, *
rejoices like a champion to run its course.
At the end of the sky is the rising of the sun; †
to the furthest end of the sky is its course. *
There is nothing concealed from its burning heat.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
To enlighten the world, Father, you sent to us your Word as the sun of truth and justice shining upon mankind. Illumine our eyes that we may discern your glory in the many works of your hand.
Ant. Arise and shine, Jerusalem, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.
Ant. 3 Rejoice and exult, new city of Zion. See how humbly your King comes to save you.
Psalm 45
The marriage of the king
The Bridegroom is here; go out and welcome him (Matthew 25:6).
My heart overflows with noble words. †
To the king I must speak the song I have made; *
my tongue as nimble as the pen of a scribe.
You are the fairest of the children of men †
and graciousness is poured upon your lips: *
because God has blessed you for evermore.
O mighty one, gird your sword upon your thigh; †
in splendor and state, ride on in triumph *
for the cause of truth and goodness and right.
Take aim with your bow in your dread right hand. †
Your arrows are sharp: peoples fall beneath you. *
The foes of the king fall down and lose heart.
Your throne, O God, shall endure for ever. †
A scepter of justice is the scepter of your kingdom. *
Your love is for justice; your hatred for evil.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you †
with the oil of gladness above other kings: *
your robes are fragrant with aloes and myrrh.
From the ivory palace you are greeted with music. †
The daughters of kings are among your loved ones. *
On your right stands the queen in gold of Ophir.
Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words: *
forget your own people and your father’s house.
So will the king desire your beauty: *
he is your lord, pay homage to him.
And the people of Tyre shall come with gifts, *
the richest of the people shall seek your favor.
The daughter of the king is clothed with splendor, *
her robes embroidered with pearls set in gold.
She is led to the king with her maiden companions. †
They are escorted amid gladness and joy; *
they pass within the palace of the king.
Sons shall be yours in place of your fathers: *
you will make them princes over all the earth.
May this song make your name for ever remembered. *
May the peoples praise you from age to age.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
When you took on flesh, Lord Jesus, you made a marriage of mankind with God. Help us to be faithful to your word and endure our exile bravely, until we are called to the heavenly marriage feast, to which the Virgin Mary, exemplar of your Church, has preceded us.
Ant. Rejoice and exult, new city of Zion. See how humbly your King comes to save you.
O God, we remember your mercies.
— We reflect on them within your temple.
READINGS
FIRST READING
From the book of Exodus
13:1-3a, 11-16
The consecration of the first-born
The Lord spoke to Moses and said,
“Consecrate to me every first-born that opens the womb among the Israelites, both of man and beast, for it belongs to me.”
Moses said to the people, “When the Lord, your God, has brought you into the land of the Canaanites, which he swore to you and your fathers he would give you, you shall dedicate to the Lord every son that opens the womb; and all the male firstlings of your animals shall belong to the Lord. Every first-born of an ass you shall redeem with a sheep. If you do not redeem it, you shall break its neck. Every first-born son you must redeem.
“If your son should ask you later on, ‘What does this mean?’ you shall tell him, ‘With a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, that place of slavery. When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed every first-born in the land of Egypt, every first-born of man and of beast. That is why I sacrifice to the Lord everything of the male sex that opens the womb, and why I redeem every first-born of my sons.’
“Let this, then, be as a sign on your hand and as a pendant on your forehead: with a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt.”
RESPONSORY
Zion, let your wedding chamber be prepared
to receive Christ your King.
— The Virgin conceived and gave birth to a son,
yet she remained a virgin for ever.
She knelt in worship before her child.
Simeon took the child in his arms and gave praise and thanks to God.
— The Virgin conceived and gave birth to a son,
yet she remained a virgin for ever.
She knelt in worship before her child.
SECOND READING
From a sermon by Saint Sophronius, bishop
(Orat. 3 de Hypapante 6:7: PG 87, 3, 3291-3293)
Let us receive the light whose brilliance is eternal
In honor of the divine mystery that we celebrate today, let us all hasten to meet Christ. Everyone should be eager to join the procession and to carry a light.
Our lighted candles are a sign of the divine splendor of the one who comes to expel the dark shadows of evil and to make the whole universe radiant with the brilliance of his eternal light. Our candles also show how bright our souls should be when we go to meet Christ.
The Mother of God, the most pure Virgin, carried the true light in her arms and brought him to those who lay in darkness. We too should carry a light for all to see and reflect the radiance of the true light as we hasten to meet him.
The light has come and has shone upon a world enveloped in shadows; the Dayspring from on high has visited us and given light to those who lived in darkness. This, then, is our feast, and we join in procession with lighted candles to reveal the light that has shone upon us and the glory that is yet to come to us through him. So let us hasten all together to meet our God.
The true light has come, the light that enlightens every man who is born into this world. Let all of us, my brethren, be enlightened and made radiant by this light. Let all of us share in its splendor, and be so filled with it that no one remains in the darkness. Let us be shining ourselves as we go together to meet and to receive with the aged Simeon the light whose brilliance is eternal. Rejoicing with Simeon, let us sing a hymn of thanksgiving to God, the Father of the light, who sent the true light to dispel the darkness and to give us all a share in his splendor.
Through Simeon’s eyes we too have seen the salvation of God which he prepared for all the nations and revealed as the glory of the new Israel, which is ourselves. As Simeon was released from the bonds of this life when he had seen Christ, so we too were at once freed from our old state of sinfulness.
By faith we too embraced Christ, the salvation of God the Father, as he came to us from Bethlehem. Gentiles before, we have now become the people of God. Our eyes have seen God incarnate, and because we have seen him present among us and have mentally received him into our arms, we are called the new Israel. Never shall we forget this presence; every year we keep a feast in his honor.
RESPONSORY
Ezekiel 43:5; see Luke 2:22
The glory of the Lord entered the temple by the eastward gate,
— and the house of God was filled with his splendor.
His parents took the child Jesus into the temple.
— And the house of God was filled with his splendor.
Those who wish to extend the celebration of the vigil of this Feast, according to tradition, first celebrate the Office of Readings. After both readings and before the Te Deum, they may add canticles and a gospel reading. Afterward the Te Deum is sung, the prayer is said, and the hour is concluded as in the Ordinary.
TE DEUM
You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord: we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not spurn the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death,
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come, and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.
℣. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.
℟. Govern and uphold them now and always.
℣. Day by day we bless you.
℟. We praise your name for ever.
℣. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
℟. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
℣. Lord, show us your love and mercy;
℟. for we put our trust in you.
℣. In you, Lord, is our hope:
℟. and we shall never hope in vain.
The concluding part of the hymn may be omitted.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Let us pray.
All-powerful Father,
Christ your Son became man for us
and was presented in the temple.
May he free our hearts from sin
and bring us into your presence.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and Holy Spirit
God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
Or:
Almighty ever-living God,
we humbly implore your majesty
that, just as your Only Begotten Son
was presented on this day in the Temple
in the substance of our flesh,
so, by your grace,
we may be presented to you with minds made pure.
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.
— Amen.
ACCLAMATION
Let us praise the Lord.
— And give him thanks.
******
Psalm 24
The Lord’s entry into his temple
Christ opened heaven for us in the manhood he assumed (Saint Irenaeus).
The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, *
the world and all its peoples.
It is he who set it on the seas; *
on the waters he made it firm.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? *
Who shall stand in his holy place?
The man with clean hands and pure heart, †
who desires not worthless things, *
who has not sworn so as to deceive his neighbor.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
He shall receive blessings from the Lord *
and reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the men who seek him, *
seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
Who is the king of glory? †
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, *
the Lord, the valiant in war.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
Who is he, the king of glory? †
He, the Lord of armies, *
he is the king of glory.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
Psalm 67
People of all nations will worship the Lord
You must know that God is offering his salvation to all the world (Acts 28:28).
O God, be gracious and bless us *
and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon earth *
and all nations learn your saving help.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
Let the nations be glad and exult *
for you rule the world with justice.
With fairness you rule the peoples, *
you guide the nations on earth.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
The earth has yielded its fruit *
for God, our God, has blessed us.
May God still give us his blessing *
till the ends of the earth revere him.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
Psalm 100
The joyful song of those entering God’s temple
The Lord calls his ransomed people to sing songs of victory (Saint Athanasius).
Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. †
Serve the Lord with gladness. *
Come before him, singing for joy.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
Know that he, the Lord, is God. †
He made us, we belong to him, *
we are his people, the sheep of his flock.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
Go within his gates, giving thanks. †
Enter his courts with songs of praise. *
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
Indeed, how good is the Lord, †
eternal his merciful love. *
He is faithful from age to age.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord of creation; he enters his holy temple.
CANTICLES
Ant. Rejoice and sing for joy, daughter of Zion, for I come to live in your midst, says the Lord.
Canticle I: Isaiah 9:1-6
The coming of the Prince of Peace
The dawn from on high shall break upon us to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death (Luke 1:78. 79).
The people who walked in darkness *
have seen a great light;
Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom *
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy *
and great rejoicing,
As they rejoice before you as at the harvest, *
as men make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them, *
the pole on their shoulder,
And the rod of their taskmaster *
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
For every boot that tramped in battle, †
every cloak rolled in blood, *
will be burned as fuel for flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us; *
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, *
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast *
and forever peaceful,
From David’s throne, and over his kingdom, *
which he confirms and sustains
By judgment and justice, †
both now and forever. *
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Canticle II: Isaiah 26:1-4, 7-9, 12
Justice and peace in Jerusalem
Behold! The tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall live among them (Revelation 21:3).
A strong city have we; *
he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us
Open up the gates †
to let in a nation that is just, *
one that keeps faith.
A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; *
in peace, for its trust in you.
Trust in the Lord forever! *
For the Lord is an eternal Rock.
The way of the just is smooth; *
the path of the just you make level.
Yes, for your way and your judgments, O Lord, *
we look to you;
Your name and your title *
are the desire of our souls.
My soul yearns for you in the night, *
yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you;
when your judgment dawns upon the earth, *
the world’s inhabitants learn justice.
O Lord, you mete out peace to us, *
for it is you who have accomplished all we have done.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Canticle III: Isaiah 66:10-14a
The consolation and joy of the holy city
The Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother (Galatians 4:26).
Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, *
all you who love her;
Exult, exult with her, *
all you who were mourning over her!
Oh, that you may suck fully *
of the milk of her comfort,
That you may nurse with delight *
at her abundant breasts!
For thus says the Lord: †
Lo, I will spread prosperity over her like a river, *
and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent.
As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, *
and fondled in her lap;
as a mother comforts her son, †
so will I comfort you; *
in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.
When you see this, your heart shall rejoice, *
and your bodies flourish like the grass.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Rejoice and sing for joy, daughter of Zion, for I come to live in your midst, says the Lord.
THE HOLY GOSPEL
+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to John
1:1-18
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision
but of God.
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only Son,
full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying,
“This was he of whom I said,
‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’”
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,
has revealed him.
Or:
+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to John
3:16-21
God sent his Son that the world might be saved through him
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world,
but people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light,
so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,
so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.”
A homily on the Gospel may be given.
Te Deum