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 for ever.
Amen. (Alleluia.)


HYMN

Day is done, but love unfailing
dwells ever here
Shadows fall, but hope, prevailing,
calms every fear.
Loving Father, none forsaking,
take our hearts of Love's own making
Watch our sleeping, guard our waking,
be always near.

Dusk descends, but light unending
shines through our night
You are with us, ever lending
new strength to sight
One in love, your truth confessing
one in hope of heaven's blessing
May we see, in love's possessing
love's endless light!

Eyes will close, but you unsleeping
watch by our side
Death may come, in love's safekeeping
still we abide
God of love, all evil quelling
sin forgiving, fear dispelling
Stay with us, our hearts indwelling
this eventide.
Text: James Quinn, S.J.; Melody: Ar Hyd Y Nos 84.84.88.84; Midi: Cyberhymnal


PSALMODY

Antiphon 1: You cannot serve both God and mammon.

                I
Hear this, all you peoples,
give heed, all who dwell in the world,
men both high and low,
rich and poor alike!

My lips will speak words of wisdom.
My heart is full of insight.
I will turn my mind to a parable,
with the harp I will solve my problem.

Why should I fear in evil days
the malice of the foes who surround me,
men who trust in their wealth,
and boast of the vastness of their riches?

For no man buy his own ransom,
or pay a price to God for his life.
The ransom of his soul is beyond him.
He cannot buy life without end,
nor avoid coming to the grave.

He knows that wise men and fools must both perish
and must leave their wealth to others.
Their graves are their homes for ever,
their dwelling place from age to age,
though their names spread wide through the land.

In his riches, man lacks wisdom;
he is like the beasts that are destroyed. Glory...

Antiphon 1 You cannot serve both God and mammon.


Antiphon 2 Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, says the Lord.

                         II
This is the lot of those who trust in themselves,
who have others in their beck and call.
Like sheep they are driven to the grave,
where death shall be their shepherd
and the just shall become their rulers.

With the morning their outward show vanishes
and the grave becomes their home.
But God will ransom me from death
and take my soul to himself.

Then do not fear when a man grows rich,
when the glory of his house increases.
He takes nothing with him when he dies,
his glory does not follow him below.

Though he flattered himself while he lived:
Men will praise me for all my success,
yet he will go to join his fathers,
and will never see the light any more.

In his riches, man lacks wisdom;
he is like the beasts that are destroyed. Glory...

Antiphon 2 Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, says the Lord.


Antiphon 3 Adoration and glory belong by right to the Lamb that was slain.

Worthy are you, Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power,

For you created all things;
by your will they came to be and were created.

Worthy are you, O Lord,
to receive the scroll and to break open its seals.

For you were slain;
with your blood you purchased for God
those from every tribe and tongue,
of every people and nation.

You made them a kingdom
and priests to serve our God,
and they shall reign on earth.

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to receive power and riches,
wisdom and strength,
honor and glory and blessing. Glory...

Antiphon 3 Adoration and glory belong by right to the Lamb that was slain.


READING           See 1 Corinthians 1:7b-9
We await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will strengthen us to the end, so that we will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and it was he who called us to fellowship with his Son.


RESPONSORY
Come and set us free, Lord God of power and might.
 - Come and set us free, Lord God of power and might.
Let your face shine upon us and we shall be saved,
 - Lord God of power and might.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
 - Come and set us free, Lord God of power and might.

Our Redeemer and Lord, by your birth as a man you freed us from the yoke of the law,
 - complete in us the works of your loving kindness.

From us you took whatever served your divinity,
 - give us whatever we need to serve you.

Grant the desire we ask of you today,
 - inflame our hearts with the fire of your love.

On earth we live with you by faith,
 - in glory may we rejoice with you.

Steep the souls of the faithful departed,
 - in the dew of your loving kindness.
 

Our Father...


COLLECT
O God, who have shown forth your salvation
to all the ends of the earth,
grant, we pray,
that we may look forward in joy
to the glorious Nativity of Christ.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen


May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.


The English translation of Psalm Responses, Alleluia Verses, Gospel Verses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL); the English translation of Antiphons, Invitatories, Responsories, Intercessions, Psalm 95, the Canticle of the Lamb, Psalm Prayers, Non-Biblical Readings from The Liturgy of the Hours © 1973, 1974, 1975, ICEL; excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, ICEL. All rights reserved. Used with permission.