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Evening Prayer

Saturday, December 26, 2026 • Saint Stephen, the First Martyr
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Opening

O 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 forever. Amen.

Hymn
Silent Night, Holy Night
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon virgin mother and child,
holy infant, so tender and mild;
sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light
radiant beams from thy holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace;
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Psalmody
Psalm 132How Good It Is for Brothers to Live Together (Part I)
Ant. Today Christ is born for us; glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.
Behold, how good and joyful it is for brothers to live together as one.
Like ointment on the head, which descends to the beard, to the beard of Aaron,
which descends to the edge of his garment.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Ant. Today Christ is born for us; glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.
Psalm 134Praise the Name of the Lord
Ant. Today Christ is born for us; glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.
Praise the name of the Lord; praise him, O servants of the Lord.
You who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for it is sweet.
For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself; Israel as his own possession.
For I have known that the Lord is great, and our Lord is before all gods.
Whatever pleased the Lord, he has done, in heaven and on earth, in the sea and in all the deeps.
He draws up the mists from the ends of the earth; he turns lightning into rain.
He draws forth the wind from his storehouses.
He struck the firstborn of Egypt, from man even to beast.
He sent signs and wonders in the midst of you, O Egypt; against Pharaoh and all his servants.
He struck down many nations and he killed powerful kings.
Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan.
And he gave their land as an inheritance, as an inheritance to his people Israel.
Lord, your name is forever; Lord, your remembrance from generation to generation.
For the Lord will judge his people and will be entreated concerning his servants.
The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold, the works of human hands.
They have a mouth, and they do not speak; they have eyes, and they do not see.
They have ears, and they do not hear; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
Let those who make them become like them, and all who trust in them.
O house of Israel, bless the Lord; O house of Aaron, bless the Lord.
O house of Levi, bless the Lord; you who fear the Lord, bless the Lord.
Blessed is the Lord from Zion, he who dwells in Jerusalem.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Ant. Today Christ is born for us; glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.
New Testament Canticle
New Testament Canticle (Romans 8:14–17)
For whoever are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
For you have not received the spirit of servitude, again to be in fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption of sons,
in which we cry: Abba! Father!
For the Spirit himself gives testimony to our spirit, that we are sons of God.
But if sons, then heirs also: heirs indeed of God, and joint heirs with Christ,
yet so, if we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with 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 forever. Amen.
Gospel Canticle: Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55)
The Canticle of Mary (Magnificat) (Luke 1:46–55)
Ant. Holy Mother of God, ever-virgin Mary, who have given birth to the King of kings, intercede for us.
My soul magnifies the Lord.
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
Because he has regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold, from henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
Because he who is powerful has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
And his mercy is from generation to generation for those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has deposed the powerful from their seat, and he has exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has received Israel, his servant, being mindful of his mercy.
As he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his offspring forever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Ant. Holy Mother of God, ever-virgin Mary, who have given birth to the King of kings, intercede for us.
Short Reading
1 Timothy 3:16
Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion, who was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.
Responsory
V. A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord.
R. For today a great light has descended upon the earth. Alleluia.
V. Sing to the Lord a new song,
R. for he has done marvelous things. Alleluia.
Evening Intercessions
As evening falls during this Christmas season, let us pray in the name of the one who was born for us, saying:
For peace in our world, that the peace proclaimed at Bethlehem may become a reality among nations: we pray to you, O Lord.
Glory to God in the highest.
For those who are isolated or forgotten at this time of year, that they may know they are not alone: we pray to you, O Lord.
Glory to God in the highest.
For children, that this season may be one of wonder, security, and love for them: we pray to you, O Lord.
Glory to God in the highest.
For all who mourn, especially those who have lost a loved one since last Christmas, that hope may comfort them: we pray to you, O Lord.
Glory to God in the highest.
For our bishop and all who lead our church, that they may reflect the light of Christ in their ministry: we pray to you, O Lord.
Glory to God in the highest.
For those who have died, that they may share in the eternal Christmas of heaven: we pray to you, O Lord.
Glory to God in the highest.
The Lord's Prayer
Let us pray as the Lord himself has 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.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Concluding Prayer
O God, who gave us your only Son, in whom every gift is given: fill us with gratitude for your generosity, and make us generous in turn to all in need; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Marian Antiphon
Alma Redemptoris Mater
Loving Mother of the Redeemer, gate of heaven, star of the sea, assist your people who have fallen, yet strive to rise again. To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator, yet remained a virgin after as before. You who received Gabriel's joyful greeting, have pity on us poor sinners.
Dismissal

The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.

May almighty God bless us: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.