Evening Prayers for the Third Sunday of Advent

 O God, come to my assistance/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.

ANTIPHON

Let us set ourselves to know God; that God will come is as certain as the dawn.

Psalm 1

If you would be happy;

never walk with the wicked,

never stand with sinners,

never sit among cynics,

but delight in the Lord's teaching

and study it day and night.

You will stand like a tree

planted by a stream,

bearing fruit in season,

its leaves never fading,

its yield always plenty.

Not so for the wicked

like chaff they are blown by the wind.

They will not withstand the judgement,

nor assemble with the just.

The Lord marks the way of the upright,

but the corrupt walk to ruin.

(silent reflection)

Psalm 110

The Lord decrees to the king;

"Take the throne at my right hand.

I will make your enemies a footrest.

I will raise your scepter

over Zion and beyond,

over all your enemies.

"You people will stand behind you

on the day you take command.

You are made holy, splendid

newborn like the dawn,

fresh as the dew."

God's oath is firm:

"You are a priest for ever,

the rightful king by my decree."

The Lord stands at your side

to destroy kings

on the day of wrath.

God executes judgement,

crushes the heads of nations,

and brings carnage worldwide.

The victor drinks

from a wayside stream

and rises refreshed.

(silent reflection)

Psalm 111

Hallelujah!

With my whole heart

I praise the Lord among the just.

Great are God's works,

a delight to explore.

In splendor, in majesty,

God's justice will stand.

Who can forget God's wonders,

a God, merciful and kind

who nourished the faithful,

upheld the covenant,

 and revealed mighty deeds,

giving them the land of pagans.

Faithful, just, and true

are all God's decrees:

each law in its place

valid for ever.

The Lord redeems the faithful,

decrees a lasting covenant.

Holy and awesome God's name!

Fear of the Lord is wisdom's crown,

wise are those who live by it.

Praise the Lord 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

Let us set ourselves to know God; that God will come is as certain as the dawn.

READING                                                                                  Phillipians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.  Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(silent reflection)

MAGNIFICAT ANTIPHON: May we know your way upon earth, O God, that we may give witness to you among the nations.

MAGNIFICAT 

I acclaim the greatness of the Lord,

I delight in God my Savior,

who regarded my humble state.

Truly from this day on

all ages will call me blest.

For God, wonderful in power,

has used that strength for me.

Holy the name of the Lord!

whose mercy embraces the faithful,

one generation to the next,.

The mighty arm of God

scatters the proud in their conceit,

pulls tyrants from their thrones,

and raises up the humble.

The Lord fills the starving

and lets the rich go hungry.

God rescues lowly Israel,

recalling the promise of mercy,

the promise made to our ancestors,

to Abraham's heirs 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.

MAGNIFICAT ANTIPHON: May we know your way upon earth, O God, that we may give witness to you among the nations.

Our Father...

Creator of all people, united us.  Help us to put aside our prejudices, our suspictions, our misunderstandings, and see in one another the Christ who lives in each of us, as we praise and worship you, Creator, Savior, Spirit.  Amen.

May God bless us, deliver us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.

Let us bless God/and give thanks.