← Prayer Book

Evening Prayer

Friday, January 8, 2027 • January 8
Download PDF
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 41Longing for God's House
Ant. Today Christ is born for us; glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.
As the deer longs for fountains of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul has thirsted for God, the living fountain; when will I come and appear before the face of God?
My tears have been my bread day and night, while they say to me daily, "Where is your God?"
These things I remembered, and I poured out my soul in me; for I will pass into the place of the wonderful tabernacle, even to the house of God,
amid the voice of joy and praise, the sound of one feasting.
Why are you sad, O my soul? And why do you trouble me?
Hope in God, for I will still confess to him: the salvation of my countenance and my God.
My soul has been troubled within myself; therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan and Hermon, from the little hill.
Deep calls to deep at the sound of your floodgates.
All your heights and your waves have passed over me.
In the daytime the Lord has commanded his mercy, and in the night his canticle.
With me is a prayer to the God of my life.
I will say to God: "You are my supporter. Why have you forgotten me? And why do I go about in sadness, while the enemy afflicts me?"
While my bones are being broken, my enemies who trouble me have reproached me.
While they say to me daily: "Where is your God?"
Why are you sad, O my soul? And why do you trouble me?
Hope in God, for I will still give praise to him: the salvation of my countenance and my God.
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 44A Royal Wedding Song
Ant. Today Christ is born for us; glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.
My heart has uttered a good word; I speak my works to the king.
My tongue is the pen of a swiftly writing scribe.
You are made beautiful above the sons of men; grace is poured out in your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.
Take up your sword upon your thigh, O most mighty.
Go forth with your beauty and your excellence and proceed with success, and reign, because of truth and meekness and justice.
And your right hand will guide you wonderfully.
Your arrows are sharp; peoples will fall under you; the hearts of the king's enemies.
Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; the rod of your kingdom is the rod of uprightness.
You have loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.
Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume your garments, from the ivory houses, from which the daughters of kings have given you delight in your glory.
The queen stood at your right hand in golden attire, surrounded with variety.
Hear, O daughter, and see and incline your ear; and forget your people and your father's house.
And the king will desire your beauty; for he is the Lord your God, and him they will adore.
And the daughters of Tyre with gifts, yes the rich among the people, will entreat your face.
All the glory of the daughter of the king is within in golden borders,
Clothed around with varieties. After her, virgins will be brought to the king; her neighbors will be brought to you.
They will be brought with gladness and joy; they will be brought into the temple of the king.
Instead of your fathers, sons are born to you; you will make them princes over all the earth.
They will remember your name in every generation and generation; therefore peoples will confess to you forever and ever and into ages of ages.
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 19:1–9)
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.
And it was granted to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean.
For the fine linen represents the justifications of the saints.
And he said to me: "Write: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb."
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
Titus 2:11
For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age.
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
Eternal Word, you became a child among us and made your dwelling among us. Stay with us through this night and always; who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. 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.