INTRODUCTION
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
O loving Maker of the stars,
believers’ everlasting light,
O Christ, Redeemer of us all,
with kindness hear our humble prayer.
With pity, you beheld the fate
that death imposed on ages past;
you gave the guilty healing grace
and saved a weak and fallen world.
When evening fell upon the earth,
as bridegroom from the bridal room,
from honored cloister forth you came,
born from the Virgin Mother pure.
Before your strong and steadfast might,
on earth and in the heav’ns above
all knees bend low, all hearts confess
submission to your sov’reign will.
With faith we beg you, Holy Lord,
the Judge of ages still to come,
that in our time you keep us safe
from snares of our deceitful foe.
To you, O Christ, most loving King,
and to the Father, glory be,
one with the Spirit Paraclete,
from age to age for evermore. Amen.
Tune: WINCHESTER NEW, 8 8 8 8
Music: adapted from a chorale in Musicalisches Hand-Buch, Hamburg, 1690
or Mode IV, melody 71; Antiphonale Sacrosanctæ Ecclesiæ Romanæ, Typis Polyglottis Vanticanis, 1912
Text: Conditor alme siderum, 9th c., © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 You cannot serve both God and mammon.
Psalm 49
Emptiness of riches
It is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:23).
I
Hear this, all you peoples, *
give heed, all who dwell in the world,
men both high and low, *
rich and poor alike!
My lips will speak words of wisdom. *
My heart is full of insight.
I will turn my mind to a parable, *
with the harp I will solve my problem.
Why should I fear in evil days *
the malice of the foes who surround me,
men who trust in their wealth, *
and boast of the vastness of their riches?
For no man can buy his own ransom, *
or pay a price to God for his life.
The ransom of his soul is beyond him. †
He cannot buy life without end, *
nor avoid coming to the grave.
He knows that wise men and fools must both perish *
and must leave their wealth to others.
Their graves are their homes for ever, †
their dwelling place from age to age, *
though their names spread wide through the land.
In his riches, man lacks wisdom; *
he is like the beasts that are destroyed.
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. You cannot serve both God and mammon.
Ant. 2 Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, says the Lord.
II
This is the lot of those who trust in themselves, *
who have others at their beck and call.
Like sheep they are driven to the grave, †
where death shall be their shepherd *
and the just shall become their rulers.
With the morning their outward show vanishes *
and the grave becomes their home.
But God will ransom me from death *
and take my soul to himself.
Then do not fear when a man grows rich, *
when the glory of his house increases.
He takes nothing with him when he dies, *
his glory does not follow him below.
Though he flattered himself while he lived: *
“Men will praise me for all my success,”
yet he will go to join his fathers, *
and will never see the light any more.
In his riches, man lacks wisdom; *
he is like the beasts that are destroyed.
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
Make our mouths speak your wisdom, Lord Jesus, and help us to remember that you became man and redeemed us from death that we might merit the beauty of your light.
Ant. Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, says the Lord.
Ant. 3 Adoration and glory belong by right to the Lamb who was slain.
Canticle: Revelation 4:11; 5-9, 10, 12
Redemption hymn
O Lord our God, you are worthy *
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you have created all things; *
by your will they came to be and were made.
Worthy are you, O Lord *
to receive the scroll and break open its seals.
For you were slain; *
with your blood you purchased for God
men from every race and tongue, *
of every people and nation.
You made of them a kingdom, †
and priests to serve our God, *
and they shall reign on earth.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain *
to receive power and riches,
wisdom and strength, *
honor and glory and praise.
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. Adoration and glory belong by right to the Lamb who was slain.
READING
See 1 Corinthians 1:7b-9
We await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will strengthen us to the end, so that we will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and it was he who called us to fellowship with his Son.
RESPONSORY
Come and set us free, Lord God of power and might.
— Come and set us free, Lord God of power and might.
Let your face shine upon us and we shall be saved,
— Lord God of power and might.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— Come and set us free, Lord God of power and might.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. A voice is heard crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight the path of our God.
Canticle of Mary
Luke 1:46-55
The soul rejoices in the Lord
My + soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, †
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: †
the Almighty has done great things for me, *
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
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. A voice is heard crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight the path of our God.
INTERCESSIONS
To Christ, our Lord and Redeemer, who will appear openly on the last day, let us joyfully pray:
Come, Lord Jesus!
Our Redeemer and Lord, by your birth as a man you freed us from the yoke of the law,
— complete in us the works of your loving kindness.
Come, Lord Jesus!
From us you took whatever served your divinity,
— give us whatever we need to serve you.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Grant the desire we ask of you today,
— inflame our hearts with the fire of your love.
Come, Lord Jesus!
On earth we live with you by faith,
— in glory may we rejoice with you.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Steep the souls of the faithful departed,
— in the dew of your loving kindness.
Come, Lord Jesus!
THE LORD’S PRAYER
(With longing for the coming of God’s kingdom, let us offer our prayer to the Father:)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Almighty God,
help us to look forward
to the glory of the birth of Christ our Savior:
his coming is proclaimed joyfully
to the ends of the earth,
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
Or:
O God, who have shown forth your salvation
to all the ends of the earth,
grant, we pray,
that we may look forward in joy
to the glorious Nativity of Christ.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
DISMISSAL
If a priest or deacon presides, he dismisses the people:
The Lord be with you.
— And with your spirit.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
— Amen.
Another form of the blessing may be used, as at Mass.
Then he adds:
Go in peace.
— Thanks be to God.
In the absence of a priest or deacon and in individual recitation, Evening Prayer concludes:
May the Lord + bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
— Amen.
******
Jerusalem, lift up your voice!
Daughter of Zion, now rejoice!
Your King is come, whose mighty hand
Henceforth shall reign o’er every land.
He comes to every tribe and race,
A messenger of truth and grace:
With peace he comes from heaven above
On earth to found his realm of love.
In God’s eternal covenant,
He comes for our salvation sent.
The star of hope moves on before,
And hosts assemble to adore.
Let all the world with one accord
Now hail the coming of the Lord:
Praise to the Prince of heavenly birth
Who brings God’s peace to all the earth.
Tune: Von Himmel Hoch L.M.
Music: Geistliche Lieder, Leipzig, 1539
Text: Johan O. Wallin, 1814
Translation: Ernst W. Olsen, 1870-1958
Or:
The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
“All hail,” said he, “O lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favored lady!” Gloria!
“For know a blessed Mother you shall be,
All generations praise continually,
Your Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold.
Most highly favored lady!” Gloria!
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head;
“To me be as it pleases God!” she said.
“My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name.”
“Most highly favored lady!” Gloria!
Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born
In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn;
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say:
“Most highly favored lady!” Gloria!
Tune: Gabriel’s Message 10.10.12.10
Music: Traditional Basque Carol
Text: Birjina gaztettobat zegoen
Translation: Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834-1924
Or:
Savior of the nations, come;
Show the glory of the Son!
Marvel now, O heav’n and earth,
That our Lord chose such a birth.
Not by human flesh and blood,
By the spirit of our God
Was the word of God made flesh,
Woman’s offspring, pure and fresh.
Wondrous birth! O wondrous child
Of the Virgin undefiled!
Mighty God and man in one,
Eager now his race to run!
God creator is his source,
Back to God he runs his course,
Down to death and hell descends,
God’s high throne he re-ascends.
Now your lowly manger bright
Hallows night with newborn light;
Let no night this light subdue,
Let our faith shine ever new.
Tune: Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland, 77 77
Music: Geystliche Gesangk Büchleyn, Wittenberg, ,1524
Text: Veni, redemptor gentium; Martin Luther, 1483-1546, after Saint Ambrose of Milan, 340-347
Translation: William Reynolds, 1812-1876 (vss. 1-3a) and Martin L. Seitz, 1909-1967 (vss. 3b-5), alt.
Or:
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel!
O come, O wisdom from on high,
And order all things far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel!
O come, O come, O Lord of might,
Who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times did give the law,
In cloud, and majesty, and awe.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel!
O come, O rod of Jesse’s stem,
From ev’ry foe deliver them
That trust your mighty power to save,
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel!
O come, O key of David, come,
And open wide our heav’nly home,
Make safe the way that leads on high,
That we no more have cause to sigh.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel!
O come, O Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by your drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadow put to flight.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel!
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of humankind;
Bid every strife and quarrel cease
And fill the world with heaven’s peace.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel!
Tune: Veni, Veni, Emmanuel 88.88 with Refrain
Music: Thomas Helmore, 1811-1890, adapted from a first Mode Responsory in a fifteenth century French Processional
Text: Veni, Veni, Emmanuel, a paraphrase of the Latin twelfth-thirteenth century “Great O” antiphons in Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum
Translation: Thomas Helmore, 1811-1890, John Mason Neale, 1818-1866, and others
Or:
Refrain: Roráte cœli désuper, et nubes pluant iustum.
Ne irascáris, Dómine, ne ultra memíneris iniquitátis:
Ecce cívitas sancti facta est desérta:
Sion desérta facta est: Ierúusalem desoláta est:
Domus sanctificatiónis tuae et glóriæ tuæ,
Ubi laudáværunt te patres nostri.
Refrain: Roráte cœli désuper, et nubes pluant iustum.
Peccávimus, et facti sumus tamquam immúndus nos,
Et cicídimus quasi fólium univérsi:
Et iniquitátis nostrae quasi ventus abstulérunt nos:
Abscondísti fáciem tuam a nobis,
Et allisísti nos in manu iniquitátis nostræ.
Refrain: Roráte cœli désuper, et nubes pluant iustum.
Vide, Dómine, afflictiónem pópuli tui,
Et mitte quam missúrus es:
Emítte Agnum dominatórem terræ,
De petra desérti ad montem fíliæ Sion:
Ut aúferat ipse iugum captivitátis nostræ.
Refrain: Roráte cœli désuper, et nubes pluant iustum.
Consolámini, consolámini, pópule meus:
Cito véniet salus tua:
Quare mœróre consuméris, quia innovávit dolor?
Salvábo, te, noli timére, ego enim sum Dóminus Deus tuus,
Sanctus Israël, Redémptor tuus.
Refrain: Roráte cœli désuper, et nubes pluant iustum.
Tune: Rorate Cœli, Irregular
Music: P. Bourget?, 1634
Text: Paris, 1634