Introductory Rite:
God, come to my assistance R/ Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
R/ as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
Creator of the stars of night,
your people’s everlasting light,
O Christ, Redeemer of us all,
we pray you hear us when we call.
In sorrow that the ancient curse
should doom to death a universe,
you came, O Savior, to set free
your own in glorious liberty.
At your great Name, O Jesus, now
all knees must bend, all hearts must bow;
all things on earth with one accord,
like those in heaven, know you are Word.
To God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Spirit, Three in one,
praise, honor, might, and glory be
from age to age eternally.
Melody: Conditor Alme Siderum 7.7.7.7; Text:
Anonymous, 7th Century
PSALMODY
Antiphon 1: Those who sow in tears will reap in
joy.
When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage,
it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
on our lips there were songs.
The heathens themselves said: “What marvels
the Lord worked for them!”
What marvels the Lord worked for us!
Indeed we were glad.
Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage
as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap.
They go out, they go out, full of tears,
carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song,
carrying their sheaves. Glory…
Psalm Prayer: Lord, you have raised us from the
earth; may you let the seeds of justice, which we
have sown in tears, grow and increase in your
sight. May we reap in joy the harvest we hope for
patiently.
Antiphon 1: Those who sow in tears will reap in
joy.
Antiphon 2 May the Lord build our house
and guard our city.
If the Lord does not build the house,
in vain do its builders labor;
if the Lord does not watch over the city,
in vain does the watchman keep vigil.
In vain is your earlier rising,
your going later to rest,
you who toil for the bread you eat,
when he pours gifts on his beloved while
they slumber.
Truly sons are a gift from the Lord,
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Indeed the sons of youth
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
O the happiness of the man
who has filled his quiver with these
arrows!
He will have no cause for shame
when he disputes with his foes in the
gateways. Glory…
Psalm Prayer:
You command the seed to
rise, Lord God, though the farmer is
unaware. Grant that those who labor for
you may trust not in their own work but in
your help. Remembering that the land is
brought to flower not with human tears but
with those of your Son, may the Church
rely only upon your gifts.
Antiphon 2 May the Lord build our house
and guard our city.
.Antiphon 3 He is the first-born of all
creation; in every way the primacy is his.
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….
.Antiphon 3 He is the first-born of all
creation; in every way the primacy is his.
READING 1 Corinthians 4:5
Stop passing judgment before the time of the Lord’s return. He will bring to light what is
hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will
receive praise from God.
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.
MAGNIFICAT (Canticle of Mary)
Antiphon: You, O Lord, are the One whose coming was foretold, we long for you to come and
set your people free.
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…
Antiphon: You, O Lord, are the One whose coming was foretold, we long for you to come and
set your people free.
INTERCESSIONS
Let us pray to God the Father, who sent his Son to bring us endless peace:
Lord, your kingdom come.
Father most holy, look kindly on your Church,
come and visit this vine which your own right hand has planted.
Be mindful, Lord, of all the sons of Abraham,
fulfill the promises you made to their fathers.
Merciful God, look kindly upon men and women of every race,
may they honor you for your goodness.
Eternal Shepherd, visit the sheep of your flock,
and gather them together into one fold.
Remember those who have gone forth from this world in your peace,
lead them into glory with your Son.
Lord’s Prayer
COLLECT
Father,
May the coming celebration of the birth of your Son
Bring us your saving help
And prepare us for eternal life.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever.
Final Blessing and Dismissal