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Wednesday, December 31 |
| The Vespers Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m. |
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The Fifth Day of Christmas |
The Call to Prayer |
| Praise the LORD, all you nations;* laud him, all you peoples. For his loving-kindness toward us is great,* and the faithfulness of the LORD endures for ever. Hallelujah! |
| Psalm 117 |
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The Request for Presence |
| Gladden the soul of your servant,* for to you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. |
| Psalm 86:4 |
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The Greeting |
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| One generation shall praise your works to another* and shall declare your power. |
| Psalm 145:4 |
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The Hymn |
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| 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 Christian, fear: for sinners here The silent Word is pleading. This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring him laud, 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. This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring him laud, The babe, the son of Mary. |
| William Dix |
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The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons |
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| Happy are they all who fear the LORD,* and who follow in his ways! |
| Psalm 128:1 |
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The Vespers Psalm |
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You Have Put Gladness in My Heart |
| Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause;* you set me free when I am hard-pressed; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. “You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory;* how long will you worship dumb idols and run after false gods?” Know that the LORD does wonders for the faithful;* when I call upon the LORD, he will hear me. Tremble, then, and do not sin;* speak to your heart in silence upon your bed. Offer the appointed sacrifices* and put your trust in the LORD. Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see better times!”* Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O LORD. You have put gladness in my heart,* more than when grain and wine and oil increase. I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep;* for only you, LORD,make me dwell in safety. |
| Psalm 4 |
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The Refrain |
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| Happy are they all who fear the LORD,* and who follow in his ways! |
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The Gloria |
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| Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end. Alleluia.* Amen. |
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The Lord's Prayer |
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| Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. |
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The Prayer Appointed for the Week |
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| Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that I, who have been born again and made your child by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through my Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.† |
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The Concluding Prayer of the Church |
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| May Almighty God grant me a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen. |
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