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Evening Prayer

Wednesday, December 30, 2026 • 6th Day within the Octave of Christmas

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 139Deliver Me From Evil Men (Part I)

Ant. Today Christ is born for us; glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.

Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; free me from the unjust man.

Those who have devised iniquities in their heart; all day long they incited conflicts.

They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; the venom of asps is under their lips.

Guard me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner, and free me from unjust men.

Those who have planned to supplant my steps.

The arrogant have hidden a snare for me, and they have extended cords as a trap.

Beside the path they have set a stumbling block for me.

I said to the Lord: "You are my God." Hear, O Lord, the voice of my petition.

O Lord, Lord, the power of my salvation: you cast a shadow over my head in the day of battle.

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 139Deliver Me From Evil Men (Part II)

Ant. Today Christ is born for us; glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.

Do not hand me over, O Lord, to the desire of the wicked; they have conspired against me; do not abandon me, lest they prevail.

The head of their encirclement: the labor of their lips will overwhelm them.

Burning coals will fall upon them; you will cast them into the fire, into miserable ruin, and they will not endure.

A man of tongue will not be established on the earth; evil will capture the unjust man for his destruction.

I know that the Lord will effect the judgment of the poor, and the vindication of the needy.

Yet truly the just will confess to your name, and the upright will dwell with your face.

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 (Revelation 19:1–7)

Alleluia! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.

For his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication.

And he has avenged the blood of his servants from her hands.

Alleluia! And her smoke ascends forever and ever.

And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and adored God, seated upon the throne, saying: Amen. Alleluia.

And a voice went out from the throne, saying: "Give praise to our God, all you servants of God, and those who fear him, the small and the great."

And I heard as if a voice of a great multitude, and like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of great thunders, saying: "Alleluia! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, has reigned."

"Let us be glad and rejoice and give glory to him; for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has prepared herself."

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 John 1:2

The life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us.

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

Loving God, on this Christmas night the angels sang their praises. Accept our evening song of thanks for the gift of your Son and keep us ever grateful for your saving love; through 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.