Evening Prayer I - Second Sunday After Christmas

Evening Prayer I

2nd SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

Sunday between January 2 and 5 when Epiphany is celebrated on January 6

God, come to my assistance.
- Lord, make haste to help me.

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. Alleluia.

HYMN

What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you;
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby;
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
Melody: Greensleeves; Music: 16th Century English Melody; Text: William Chatterton Dix

PSALMODY

Antiphon:Trusting in the Lord's promise, the Virgin Mary conceived a child, and remaining a virgin she gave birth to the King of kings.

Psalm 119:105-112
Nun XIV

Your word is a lamp for my steps
and a light for my path.

I have sworn and have made up my mind
to obey your decrees.

Lord, I am deeply afflicted;
by your word give me life.

Accept, Lord, the homage of my lips
and teach me your decrees.

Though I carry my life in my hands,
I remember your law.

Though the wicked try to ensnare me,
I do not stray from your precepts.

Your will is my heritage for ever,
the joy of my heart.

I set myself to carry out your statutes
in fullness, for ever. Glory...

Antiphon:Trusting in the Lord's promise, the Virgin Mary conceived a child, and remaining a virgin she gave birth to the King of kings.

Antiphon:Sing for joy with Jerusalem; the Lord has refreshed her like a river of peace.

Psalm 16
Conserva me, Domine

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.

I say to the Lord: You are my God.
My happiness lies in you alone."

He has put into my heart a marvelous love
for the faithful ones who dwell in his land.

Those who choose other gods increase their sorrows.
Never will I offer their offerings of blood.
Never will I take their name upon my lips.

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;
it is you yourself who are my prize.

The lot marked out for me is my delight:
welcome indeed the heritage that falls to me!

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,
who even at night directs my heart.

I keep the Lord ever in my sight:
since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my body shall rest in safety.

For you will not leave my soul among the dead,
nor let your beloved know decay.

You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever. Glory...

Antiphon: Sing for joy with Jerusalem; the Lord has refreshed her like a river of peace.

Antiphon:He who was from the beginning, God from God, Light from Light, is born for us.

Canticle Philippians 2:6-11
Christ, God's holy servant

Though he was in the form of God,
Jesus did not deem equality with God
something to be grasped at.

Rather, he emptied himself
and took the form of a slave,
being born in the likeness of men.

He was known to be of human estate
and it was thus that he humbled himself,
obediently accepting even death,
death on a cross!

Because of this,
God highly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
above every other name,

So that at Jesus' name
every knee must bend
in the heavens, on the earth,
and under the earth,
and every tongue proclaim
to the glory of God the Father:
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! Glory...

Antiphon: He who was from the beginning, God from God, Light from Light, is born for us.

READING                          1 John 5:20
We know that the Son of God has come and has given us discernment to know the one who is true. And we are in the one who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

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 (Canticle of Mary)
Antiphon: By the power of the Holy Spirit the Virgin Mary has conceived a child; she carries in her womb this mystery which she cannot comprehend.

INTERCESSIONS
Christ Jesus emptied himself and took the form of a slave. He was tested like us in all things and did not sin.Now let us worship him and pray to him with deep faith.

                    By the power of your birth, comfort those who are saved.

You came into the world heralding the new age foretold by the prophets,
- give your holy people the gift of renewal in every generation..

You once took on the weakness of our human condition,
- be light now for those who do not see, strength for the wavering
and comfort for the troubled heart.

You were born into poverty and lowliness,
- look with favor on the poor and comfort them.

By your birth bring joy to all peoples with the promise of unending life,
- give joy to the dying through the hope of heavenly birth.

You came to earth to lead everyone into the Kingdom,
- share your life of glory with those who have died.

Our Father...

PRAYER
God of power and life,
glory of all who believe in you,
fill the world with Your splendor
and show the nations the light of Your truth.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

Alternative Prayer
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
our glory is to stand before the world
as your own sons and daughters.
May the simple beauty of Jesus' birth
summon us always to love what is most deeply human,
and to see your Word made flesh
reflected in those whose lives we touch.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. 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.

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