Opening Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise make ready your way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient toward the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world, we may be found a people acceptable in your sight; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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magnificat with Sunday antiphon
& the "Great O" AntiphonS
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December 17: O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared unto Moses in the burning bush, and gave him the law on Sinai; come to redeem us with an outstretched arm.
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December 18: O Root of Jesse, which stands as a sign of the peoples, at whom kings shall shut their mouths, whom the Gentiles shall seek: come to deliver us, and do not delay.
December 19: O Key of David, and Scepter of the house of Israel; that opens and no man shuts; that shuts and no man opens; come to bring out the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
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December 20: O Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light, Sun of Justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
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December, 21: O King of the Nations, and desire thereof; O Cornerstone, that makes of two one: come to save man, whom you have formed from the dust of the earth.
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December 22: O Emmanuel, our King and our Lawgiver, Longing of the Gentiles, and salvation thereof; come to save us, O Lord, our God.
December 23: O Virgin of virgins, how shall this be? For neither before you was any like you, nor shall there be after. Daughters of Jerusalem, why marvel at me? The thing which you behold is a divine mystery.
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My soul magnifies the Lord, *
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For he has regarded *
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from now on, *
all generations will call me blessed.
For he that is mighty has magnified me, *
and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on those who fear him, *
throughout all generations.
He has shown the strength of his arm; *
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has brought down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has exalted the humble and meek.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He, remembering his mercy, has helped his servant Israel, *
as he promised to our fathers, Abraham and his seed forever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
The daily Antiphon is repeated here.
Reading
Sunday, December 17: Isaiah 9:6-7
Monday, December 18: Isaiah 7:10-14
Tuesday, December 19: Isaiah 11:1-6
Wednesday, December 20: Isaiah 40:10-11
Thursday, December 21: Isaiah 52:7
Friday, December 22: Jeremiah 33:14-16
Saturday, December 23: Malachi 3:1-2
Song
Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silent
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
set your minds on things eternal,
for with blessing in his hand
Christ our God to earth descended,
come our homage to command.
King of kings, yet born of Mary,
once upon the earth he stood;
Lord of lords we now perceive him
in the body and the blood.
He has given to all the faithful
his own self for heavenly food.
Rank on rank, the host of heaven
stream before him on the way,
as the Light of Light, descending
from the realms of endless day,
comes, the powers of hell to vanquish,
clears the gloom of hell away.
At his feet the six-winged seraph,
cherubim with sleepless eye
veil their faces to his presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry:
"Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, Lord Most High!"
--
Gerald Moutrie (1864)
The Lord's Prayer
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.