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.
O COME, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that morns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
R./ Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel,
to thee shall come Emmanuel!
O come, Thou 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. R./
O come, o come, Thou Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times did give the law,
in cloud, and majesty, and awe. R./
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse’s stem,
from ev’ry foe deliver them
that trust Thy mighty power to save,
and give them vict’ry o’er the grave. R./
O come, Thou 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. R./
O come, Desire of the nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind;
bid every strife and quarrel cease
and fill the world with heaven’s peace. R./
PSALMODY
Antiphon 1: The Lord, the ruler over the kings of the earth, will come; blessed are they who are ready to go and welcome him.
O give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
for his love endures for ever.
Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his love endures for ever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his love endures for ever;
who alone has wrought marvelous works,
for his love endures for ever;
whose wisdom it was made the skies,
for his love endures for ever;
who fixed the earth firmly on the seas,
for his love endures for ever.
It was he who made the great lights,
for his love endures for ever.
the sun to rule the day,
for his love endures for ever.
the moon and stars in the night;
for his love endures for ever. Glory…
Antiphon 1:The Lord, the ruler over the kings of the earth, will come; blessed are they who are ready to go and welcome him.
Antiphon 2 Sing a new song to the Lord, proclaim his praises to the ends of the earth.
The first-born of the Egyptians he smote,
for his love endures for ever.
He brought Israel out from their midst,
for his love endures for ever;
arm outstretched, with power in his hand,
for his love endures for ever.
He divided the Red Sea in two,
for his love endures for ever;
he made Israel pass through the midst,
for his love endures for ever;
he flung Pharaoh and his force in the sea,
for his love endures for ever.
Through the desert his people he led,
for his love endures for ever.
Nations in their greatness he struck,
for his love endures for ever.
Kings in their splendor he slew,
for his love endures for ever.
Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his love endures for ever;
and Og, the king of Bashan,
for his love endures for ever.
He let Israel inherit their land,
for his love endures for ever.
On his servant their land he bestowed,
for his love endures for ever.
He remembered us in our distress,
for his love endures for ever.
And he snatched us away from our foes,
for his love endures for ever;
He gives food to all living things
for his love endures for ever;
To the God of heaven give thanks,
for his love endures for ever. Glory…
Psalm Prayer: Almighty God, remember our lowliness and have mercy. Once you gave our fathers a foreign land to inherit. Free us today from sin and give us a share in your inheritance.
Antiphon 2 Sing a new song to the Lord, proclaim his praises to the ends of the earth.
.Antiphon 3 When the Son of Man comes to earth, do you think he will find faith in men’s hearts?
Praised be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has bestowed on us in Christ
every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
God chose us in him
before the world began
to be holy
and blameless in his sight,
to be full of love.
He predestined us
to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ, such was his will and pleasure,
that all might praise the glorious favor
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.
In him and through his blood,we have been redeemed,
and our sins forgiven,
so immeasurably generous
is God’s favor to us.
God has given us the wisdom
to understand fully the mystery,
the plan he was pleased
to decree in Christ.
A plan to be carried out
in Christ, in the fullness of time,
to bring all things into one in him,
in the heavens and on earth. Glory…
Antiphon 3 When the Son of Man comes to earth, do you think he will find faith in men’s hearts?
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: O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
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…
Antiphon: O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
INTERCESSIONS
We humbly pray to Jesus Christ, who rescues us from the darkness of sin, and in faith we cry out:
Come, Lord Jesus!
Lord, gather together all the people of the earth, – and establish with them your everlasting covenant.
Lamb of God, you came of old to take away the sin of the world, – purge us from the dregs of our guilt.
You came to recover what was lost, – come once again in your mercy lest you punish what you have recovered.
Our faith seeks you out, – let us find everlasting joy with you when you come.
You will judge the living and the dead, – graciously gather the dead into the ranks of the blessed.
Lord’s Prayer
COLLECT
Lord, hear the prayers of your people.
May we who celebrate the birth of your Son as man
Rejoice in the gift of eternal life when he come in glory,
For He lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit ,
One God, for ever and ever.
Final Blessing and Dismissal