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 Christ, Redeemer of us all,
the Father’s Sole-begotten Son,
in myst’ry born alone from him,
so wondrously before all time,
The Father’s splendor and true Light,
O everlasting hope for all,
bend low to hear your servants’ prayers
poured forth to you throughout the earth.
O author of all saving grace,
recall that once you took our flesh
and from the Virgin pure and chaste
assumed by birth our human form.
This feast today now testifies,
within the cycle of the year,
that you as Savior of the world
alone came from the Father’s throne.
The sky above, the earth, the sea,
and all creation held therein
extol with joyous hymns of praise
the Author of your advent here.
We also, whom you came to save
and by your holy blood redeem,
all sing a new and joyful hymn
to celebrate your day of birth.
To you, Lord Jesus, glory be,
the Virgin Mother’s newborn Son,
with God the Father, ever blest,
and Loving Spirit, ever one. Amen.
Tune: PUER NOBIS NASCETUR, 8 8 8 8
Music: Adapted from Michael Praetorius, 1571-1621, in Musae Sionae, VI, 1809
or Mode I, melody 7; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983*
Text: Christe, redemptor omnium, ex Patre, Patris Unice, 6th c., © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Eagerly we await the fulfillment of our hope, the glorious coming of our Savior.
Psalm 62
Peace in God
May God, the source of our hope, fill your hearts with peace as you believe in him (Romans 15:13).
In God alone is my soul at rest; *
my help comes from him.
He alone is my rock, my stronghold, *
my fortress: I stand firm.
How long will you all attack one man *
to break him down,
as though he were a tottering wall, *
or a tumbling fence?
Their plan is only to destroy; *
they take pleasure in lies.
With their mouth they utter blessing *
but in their heart they curse.
In God alone be at rest, my soul; *
for my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock, my stronghold, *
my fortress: I stand firm.
In God is my safety and glory, *
the rock of my strength.
Take refuge in God, all you people. *
Trust him at all times.
Pour out your hearts before him *
for God is our refuge.
Common folk are only a breath, *
great men an illusion.
Placed in the scales, they rise; *
they weigh less than a breath.
Do not put your trust in oppression *
nor vain hopes on plunder.
Do not set your heart on riches *
even when they increase.
For God has said only one thing: *
only two do I know:
that to God alone belongs power *
and to you, Lord, love;
and that you repay each man *
according to his deeds.
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 reward each one according to his works. Hear us as we pour out our hearts to you seeking your grace and secure protection. We look to you for our stable hope in a constantly changing world.
Ant. Eagerly we await the fulfillment of our hope, the glorious coming of our Savior.
Ant. 2 May God turn his radiant face toward us, and fill us with his blessings.
When Psalm 67 is used as the invitatory psalm, psalm 95, above, is used as the second psalm of Evening Prayer.
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.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
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.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
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.
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
Be gracious and bless us, Lord, and let your face shed its light on us, so that we can make you known with reverence and bring forth a harvest of justice.
Ant. May God turn his radiant face toward us, and fill us with his blessings.
Ant. 3 Through him all things were made; he holds all creation together in himself.
Canticle: Colossians 1:12-20
Christ the first-born of all creation and the first-born from the dead
Let us give thanks to the Father *
for having made you worthy
to share the lot of the saints *
in light.
He rescued us *
from the power of darkness
and brought us *
into the kingdom of his beloved Son.
Through him we have redemption, *
the forgiveness of our sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, *
the first-born of all creatures.
In him everything in heaven and on earth was created, *
things visible and invisible.
All were created through him; *
all were created for him.
He is before all else that is. *
In him everything continues in being.
It is he who is head of the body, the church! *
he who is the beginning,
the first-born of the dead, *
so that primacy may be his in everything.
It pleased God to make absolute fullness reside in him *
and, by means of him, to reconcile everything in his person,
both on earth and in the heavens, *
making peace through the blood of his cross.
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. Through him all things were made; he holds all creation together in himself.
READING
Colossians 1:13-15
God rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of his beloved Son. Through him we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creatures.
RESPONSORY
All peoples will be blessed in him, men and women of every race.
— All peoples will be blessed in him, men and women of every race.
All nations will acclaim his glory.
— Men and women of every race.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— All peoples will be blessed in him, men and women of every race.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. Herod questioned the Magi: What is this sign of which you speak, this sign of a newborn king? We saw a brilliant star in the heavens; its splendor filled the world.
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. Herod questioned the Magi: What is this sign of which you speak, this sign of a newborn king? We saw a brilliant star in the heavens; its splendor filled the world.
INTERCESSIONS
Let us praise the Word of God, for he has come to cast our sins into the sea. Strengthened by this knowledge, let us pray to him:
Lord, show us your compassion.
As eternal high priest you entered the world and established the fullest expression of worship,
— through your Church let all men and women share in this sacred liturgy.
Lord, show us your compassion.
As physician of bodies and spirits you came to visit all who were sick,
— heal and strengthen those who are ill.
Lord, show us your compassion.
You were a source of joy for all at your birth,
— give hope to those in torment and to those in sin that they may be able to rejoice in you.
Lord, show us your compassion.
Mighty King, you cut the bonds of our former slavery,
— release those who are captives and show your care for those in prison.
Lord, show us your compassion.
You came as the door leading into heaven,
— let the dead pass through that door into the heavenly kingdom.
Lord, show us your compassion.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
(Gathering our prayer and praises into one, let us offer the prayer Christ himself taught us:)
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
God, light of all nations,
give us the joy of lasting peace,
and fill us with your radiance
as you filled the hearts of our fathers.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
Or:
O God, who bestow light on all the nations,
grant your peoples the gladness of lasting peace
and pour into our hearts that brilliant light
by which you purified the minds of our fathers in faith.
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.
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.
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Of the Father’s love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the source, the ending he,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.
Oh, that birth forever blessed
When the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bore the Savior of our race,
And the babe, the world’s Redeemer,
First revealed his sacred face
Evermore and evermore.
Let the heights of heaven, adore him;
Angel hosts, his praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before him
And extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring
Evermore and evermore.
This is he whom heaven-taught singers
Sang of old with one accord;
Whom the Scriptures of the prophets
Promised in their faithful word.
Now he shines, the long-expected;
Let creation praise its Lord
Evermore and evermore.
Christ, to thee, with God the Father,
And, O Spirit blest, to thee
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
And unending praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory
Evermore and evermore.
Tune: Divinum mysterium 87.87.887
Music: Mode V, twelfth century plainsong
Text: Prudentius, 413
Translation: John Mason Neale, 1854 and Henry W. Baker, 1861, alt.
Or:
Refrain: Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
Our Jesus Christ is born.
When I was a learner,
I sought both night and day;
I asked the Lord to help me,
And he showed me the way.
Refrain: Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
Our Jesus Christ is born.
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er wand’ring flocks at night;
Behold from out the heavens
There came a holy light.
Refrain: Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
Our Jesus Christ is born.
Lo, when they had seen it,
They all bowed down and prayed;
They traveled on together
To where the babe was laid.
Refrain: Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
Our Jesus Christ is born.
Tune: Go Tell it On the Mountain Irregular with Refrain
Music: Afro-American Spiritual
Text: Anonymous
Or:
From Heaven above to earth I come
To bear good news to every home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
Whereof I now will say and sing:
To you this night is born a child
Of Mary, chosen mother mild;
This little child, of lowly birth,
Shall be the joy of all your earth.
‘Tis Christ our God who far on high
Has heard your sad and bitter cry;
Himself will your salvation be,
Himself from sin will make you free.
He brings those blessings, long ago
Prepared by God for all below;
Henceforth his kingdom open stands
To you, as to the angel bands.
Glory to God in highest Heaven,
Who unto us his Son has given!
While angels sing with pious mirth
A glad New Year to all the earth.
Tune: Von Himmel Hoch L.M.
Music: Geistliche Lieder, Leipzig, 1539
Text: Martin Luther, 1539
Translation: Catherine Winkworth, 1855, alt.