1 I was glad when they said to me, *
‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’
2 And now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem;
3 Jerusalem, built as a city *
that is at unity in itself.
4 Thither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, *
as is decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
5 For there are set the thrones of judgement, *
the thrones of the house of David.
6 O pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *
‘May they prosper who love you.
7 ‘Peace be within your walls *
and tranquillity within your palaces.’
8 For my kindred and companions’ sake, *
I will pray that peace be with you.
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, *
I will seek to do you good.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Antiphon: O marvelous exchange! Our Creator has become man, born of a virgin. We have been made sharers in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity.
Antiphon: By your miraculous birth of the Virgin you have fulfilled the Scriptures: like a gentle rain falling upon the earth you have come down to save your people, O God.
Psalm 127
1 Unless the Lord builds the house, *
those who build it labour in vain.
2 Unless the Lord keeps the city, *
the guard keeps watch in vain.
3 It is in vain that you hasten to rise up early
and go so late to rest, eating the bread of toil, *
for he gives his beloved sleep.
4 Children are a heritage from the Lord *
and the fruit of the womb is his gift.
5 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, *
so are the children of one’s youth.
6 Happy are those who have their quiver full of them: *
they shall not be put to shame
when they dispute with their enemies in the gate.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Antiphon:By your miraculous birth of the Virgin you have fulfilled the Scriptures: like a gentle rain falling upon the earth you have come down to save your people, O God.
Antiphon:Your blessed and fruitful virginity is like the bush, flaming yet unburned, which Moses saw on Sinai. Pray for us, Mother of God.
Canticle – Ephesians 1:3-10
Praised be the God and Father *
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has bestowed on us in Christ *
every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
God chose us in him *
before the world began
to be holy *
and blameless in his sight.
He predestined us *
to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ,
such was his will and pleasure, †
that all might praise the glorious favor *
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.
In him and through his blood, we have been redeemed, *
and our sins forgiven,
so immeasurably generous *
is God's favor to us.
God has given us the wisdom *
to understand fully the mystery,
the plan he was pleased *
to decree in Christ.
A plan to be carried out *
in Christ, in the fullness of time,
to bring all things into one in him, *
in the heavens and on earth.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption.
RESPONSORY
The Word was made flesh; and lived among us.
- The Word was made flesh and lived among us.
From his fullness we have all received,
- and he lived among us.
Glory to the Father...
- The Word was made flesh and lived among us.
Magnificat
Antiphon: Blessed is the womb which bore you, O Christ, and the breast that nursed you, Lod and Savior of the world, alleluia.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
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.
Antiphon: Blessed is the womb which bore you, O Christ, and the breast that nursed you, Lod and Savior of the world, alleluia.
INTERCESSIONS
You gave Mary the joy of motherhood,
-- give all parents true joy in their children.
King of peace, your kingdom is one of justice and peace,
-- help us to seek the paths of peace.
You came to make the human race the holy people of God,
-- bring all nations to acknowledge the unifying bond of your love.
By your birth you strengthened family ties,
-- help families to come to a greater love for one another.
You desired to be born into the days of time,
-- grant that our departed brothers and sisters may be born into the day of eternity.
God our Father,
may we always profit by the prayers
of the Virgin Mother Mary,
for You bring us life and salvation
through Jesus Christ her Son
who lives and regins with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Alternative Prayer
Father,
Source of light in every age,
the virgin conceived and bore Your Son
who is called Wonderful God, Prince of Peace.
May her prayer, the gift of a mother's love,
be Your people's joy through all ages.
May her response, born of a humble heart,
draw our Spirit to rest on Your people.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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