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Evening Prayer

Monday, January 4, 2027 • January 4 (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton)

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 11Prayer Against the Faithless

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

Save me, O Lord, for the holy man has failed, for truths have decreased from among the sons of men.

They have spoken vain things, each one to his neighbor; deceitful lips are in their heart, and in their heart they have spoken evils.

May the Lord destroy all deceitful lips and the tongue that speaks proud things.

Those who say: "We will magnify our tongue; our lips are our own; who is our Lord?"

"Because of the misery of the needy and the groaning of the poor, I will now arise," says the Lord.

"I will place him in salvation; I will deal confidently with him."

The words of the Lord are pure words: silver tried by fire, purged from the earth, refined sevenfold.

You, O Lord, will keep us and preserve us from this generation forever.

The impious walk around; according to your greatness you have multiplied the sons of men.

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 15God Is My Inheritance

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

Preserve me, O Lord, for I have hoped in you.

I have said to the Lord: "You are my God, for you have no need of my good things."

But for the saints who are in his land, he has made all my desires wonderful in them.

Their infirmities have been multiplied; afterward they hastened.

I will not gather together their convocations of blood, nor will I be mindful of their names through my lips.

The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; it is you who will restore my inheritance to me.

The boundaries have fallen to me in excellent places; for my inheritance is excellent to me.

I will bless the Lord who has given me understanding; moreover my reins have also corrected me, even until night.

I had foresight of the Lord in my sight always; for he is at my right hand, so that I will not be moved.

Because of this, my heart has rejoiced, and my tongue has exulted, and moreover, my flesh will rest in hope.

For you will not abandon my soul to hell, nor will you allow your holy one to see corruption.

You have made known to me the ways of life; you will fill me with joy with your face; at your right hand are delights even to the end.

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 15:3–4)

Great and wonderful are your works, O Lord God Almighty.

Just and true are your ways, O King of the ages.

Who will not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name?

For you alone are holy.

For all nations will approach and adore in your sight,

because your judgments have been made manifest.

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

Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

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 Son as our Savior, help us to treasure this gift and to share the joy of Christmas with all we meet; 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.