Prayer for the Evening
Let us prepare with joy
to receive Christ our Lord.
Glory to the Father…. Alleluia!
HYMN
O heavenly Word, eternal Light,
Begotten of the Father’s might,
Who, in these latter days, are born
For succor to a world forlorn;
Our hearts enlighten from above,
And kindle with your own true love;
That we, who hear your call today,
May cast earth’s vanities away.
And when as Judge you then draw nigh,
The secrets of all hearts to try;
When sinners meet their chosen doom,
And saints attain their heavenly home;
O let us not, for evil past,
Be driven from your face at last;
But with the blessèd evermore
Behold you, love you, and adore.
PSALM 119:17-24
Which of the two did his father’s will? (Mt 21:31)
Who will truly welcome God’s reign when it comes? Not those who pay lip service to God’s will, says Jesus, but those who truly carry it out. Our obedience to God is our best preparation for the coming of Christ. Advent is not a spectator sport but a way of life in service of the Gospel.
Bless your servant and I shall live
and obey your word.
Open my eyes that I may see
the wonders of your law.
I am a pilgrim on the earth;
show me your commands.
My soul is ever consumed
as I long for your decrees.
You threaten the proud, the accursed,
who turn from your commands.
Relieve me from scorn and contempt
for I do your will.
Though princes sit plotting against me
I ponder on your rulings.
Your will is my delight;
your statutes are my counselors.
Glory to the Father….
Word of God (Ezekiel 33:31-33)
My people come to you as people always do; they sit down before you and hear your words, but they will not obey them, for lies are on their lips and their desires are fixed on dishonest gain. For them you are only a ballad singer, with a pleasant voice and a clever touch. They listen to your words, but they will not obey them. But when it comes—and it is surely coming!—they shall know that there was a prophet among them.
Why do you call me, “Lord, Lord,” but not do
what I command? (Lk 6:46)
Canticle of Mary
Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. (Mt 7:21)
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 to the Father…
Intercessions
As we look forward to Christ’s coming, let us pray for conversion of heart, that we may be prepared to receive him with joy:
R/Your will is our delight.
Through our Advent prayer,
– make our hearts living vessels of your Word and will: R/
Through our Advent silences,
– make our hearts attentive to your voice in all things: R/
Through our Advent obedience,
– make our hearts docile to your Spirit’s promptings: R/
(Personal intentions)
Our Father….
May the Lord, our God, bless us in all that we undertake. Amen. (cf. Dt 14:29)
Marian Antiphon
Antiphon for the Solemnity of Christmas, December 25
This day a Virgin inviolate
has brought forth God for us,
clothed in tender members,
whom she was found worthy to suckle;
let us all adore him,
who has come to save us.
Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli
porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti,
surgere qui curat, populo: tu quae genuisti,
natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem,
Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore
sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere.
Loving mother of the Redeemer,
gate of heaven, star of the sea,
assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.
To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,
yet remained a virgin after as before.
You who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting,
have pity on us, poor sinners.
V/ Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,
R/ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
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