First Sunday after Christmas (Holy Family) – Almighty God, you wonderfully created and yet more wonderfully restored the dignity of human nature. In your mercy, let us share the divine life of Jesus Christ who came to share our humanity, and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,...
December 26 – St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr One of the first deacons and the first Christian martyr. Of the seven deacons, Stephen, is the first mentioned and the best known. At his death, the praying martyr was thrown down; and while the witnesses were thrusting upon him “a stone as much as two...
The Nativity of Our Lord, Dawn – Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, as we are bathed in the new radiance of your incarnate Word, the light of faith, which illumines our minds, may also shine through in our deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in...
Christmas Night A child is born in Bethlehem, Alleluia. Exult for joy, Jerusalem. Alleluia, alleluia. Our joyful hearts we raise! Christ is born: O come adore him and sing new hymns of praise. ~Christmas hymn: Puer natus in Bethlehem. 13th Century
Advent at Lauds – The Lamb descends from heaven above To pardon sin with freest love; For such indulgent mercy shown With tearful joy our thanks we own. ~Office hymn, st. 3
Great O Antiphon, December 23 – O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Desire of all nations and their Salvation: Come and save us, O Lord our God. ~Magnificat Antiphon
Great O Antiphon for December 22 – O Rex gentium – O King of the nations, and their Desire, you are the cornerstone who makes us both one: Come and save mankind whom you fashioned from clay. ~Magnificat Antiphon
December 21 at Vespers – O Oriens O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis. O Morning Star, splendor of light eternal and sun of righteousness: Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
Fourth Sunday in Advent Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with...
Vespers, December 19 – O Radix Jesse – O Root of Jesse, you stand as an ensign to the peoples; before you kings will shut their mouths, and nations bow in worship: Come and deliver us, and tarry not. ~Magnificat Antiphon