Breathe on me, breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love the things You love,
and do what You would do.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until with You I have one will,
to live and to endure.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
my soul with grace refine,
until this earthly part of me,
glows with Your fire divine.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
so I shall never die,
but live with You the perfect life
in Your eternity.

Edwin Hatch, 1835-1889, alt. Evelyn Brokish, OSF

MIDMORNING (Terce)

Antiphon: This is the good news the prophets foretold: The Savior will be born of the Virgin Mary.

Psalms of the Day

READING
Romans 13:13-14a

Let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and licentiousness, not in rivalry and jealousy. Rather put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

The nations will revere your name, O Lord.
 - And the great ones of the earth will acknowledge your glory.

MIDDAY (Sext)

Antiphon: The angel Gabriel said to Mary in greeting: Hail full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.

Psalms of the Day

READING
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

He who remains in Zion
  and he that is left in Jerusalem
Will be called holy:
  every one marked down for life in Jerusalem.

Remember us, Lord, because of all the love you have for your people.
 - Come and bring us your salvation.

MIDAFTERNOON (Nones)

Antiphon: Mary said: My soul is deeply troubled; what can this greeting mean? Am I to give birth to my king and yet remain a virgin forever?

Psalms of the Day

READING
See 2 Thessalonians 1:6,7,10

Strict justice would require that God will provide relief to you who are undergoing afflictions at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his mighty angels when he comes to be glorified among his holy ones and to be marveled at on that day among all who have believed.

Come, Lord, do not delay.
 - Free your people from their sinfulness.

COLLECT
Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that we, who are weighed down from of old
by slavery beneath the yoke of sin,
may be set free by the newness
of the long-awaited Nativity
of your Only Begotten Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.


Let us praise the Lord.
- And give him thanks.