Start
℣. O Lord,
+
open thou my lips.
℟. And my mouth shall declare thy praise.
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Alleluia.
Invitatory
{Antiphon from the Proper of Saints}
Ant. Let us keep the Birthday of the Virgin Mary. * Let us worship Christ, her Son, and her Lord and ours.
Ant. Let us keep the Birthday of the Virgin Mary. * Let us worship Christ, her Son, and her Lord and ours.
Come let us praise the Lord with joy: let us joyfully sing to God our saviour. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; and make a joyful noise to him with psalms.
Ant. Let us keep the Birthday of the Virgin Mary. * Let us worship Christ, her Son, and her Lord and ours.
For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. For the Lord will not cast off his people: for in his hand are all the ends of the earth, and the heights of the mountains are his.
Ant. Let us worship Christ, her Son, and her Lord and ours.
For the sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
(genuflect)
Come let us adore and fall down: and weep before the Lord that made us: For he is the Lord our God: and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.
Ant. Let us keep the Birthday of the Virgin Mary. * Let us worship Christ, her Son, and her Lord and ours.
Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts: As in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness: where your fathers tempted me, they proved me, and saw my works.
Ant. Let us worship Christ, her Son, and her Lord and ours.
Forty years long was I offended with that generation, and I said: These always err in heart. And these men have not known my ways: so I swore in my wrath that they shall not enter into my rest.
Ant. Let us keep the Birthday of the Virgin Mary. * Let us worship Christ, her Son, and her Lord and ours.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Let us worship Christ, her Son, and her Lord and ours.
Ant. Let us keep the Birthday of the Virgin Mary. * Let us worship Christ, her Son, and her Lord and ours.
Hymn
{from the Common or Feast}
The God whom earth, and sea, and sky
Adore, and laud, and magnify,
Who o'er their threefold fabric reigns,
The Virgin's spotless womb contains.
The God, whose will by moon and sun
And all things in due course is done,
Is borne upon a maiden's breast,
By fullest heavenly grace possest.
How blest that mother, in whose shrine
The great artificer divine,
Whose hand contains the earth and sky,
Vouchsafed, as in his ark, to lie.
Blest, in the message Gabriel brought;
Blest, by the work the Spirit wrought;
From whom the great desire of earth
Took human flesh and human birth.
All honour, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born to thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete.
Amen.
Psalms with lections
{Antiphons and psalms from the Common or Feast}
Nocturn I
Ant. Blessed art thou among women, * and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Psalm 8
O Lord our Lord, * how admirable is thy name in the whole earth!8:2
For thy magnificence is elevated * above the heavens.8:2
Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise, because of thy enemies, * that thou mayst destroy the enemy and the avenger.8:3
For I will behold thy heavens, the works of thy fingers: * the moon and the stars which thou hast founded.8:4
What is man that thou art mindful of him? * or the son of man that thou visitest him?8:5
Thou hast made him a little less than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour: * and hast set him over the works of thy hands.8:6
Thou hast subjected all things under his feet, * all sheep and oxen: moreover the beasts also of the fields.8:8
The birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea, * that pass through the paths of the sea.8:9
O Lord our Lord, * how admirable is thy name in all the earth!8:10
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Ant.
O Holy Mother of God * thou hast yielded a pleasant odor like the best myrrh.
Psalm 18
The heavens shew forth the glory of God, * and the firmament declareth the work of his hands.18:2
Day to day uttereth speech, * and night to night sheweth knowledge.18:3
There are no speeches nor languages, * where their voices are not heard.18:4
Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth: * and their words unto the ends of the world.18:5
He hath set his tabernacle in the sun: * and he, as a bridegroom coming out of his bride chamber,18:6
Hath rejoiced as a giant to run the way: * his going out is from the end of heaven,18:6
And his circuit even to the end thereof: * and there is no one that can hide himself from his heat.18:7
The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls: * the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones.18:8
The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts: * the commandment of the Lord is lightsome, enlightening the eyes.18:9
The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for ever and ever: * the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.18:10
More to be desired than gold and many precious stones: * and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.18:11
For thy servant keepeth them, * and in keeping them there is a great reward.18:12
Who can understand sins? from my secret ones cleanse me, O Lord: * and from those of others spare thy servant.18:13
If they shall have no dominion over me, then shall I be without spot: * and I shall be cleansed from the greatest sin.18:14
And the words of my mouth shall be such as may please: * and the meditation of my heart always in thy sight.18:15
O Lord, my helper, * and my redeemer.18:15
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. O Holy Mother of God thou hast yielded a pleasant odor like the best myrrh.
Ant.
Sing for us again and again before this maiden's bed * the tender idylls of the play.
Psalm 23
The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof: * the world, and all they that dwell therein.23:1
For he hath founded it upon the seas; * and hath prepared it upon the rivers.23:2
Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord: * or who shall stand in his holy place?23:3
The innocent in hands, and clean of heart, * who hath not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbour.23:4
He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, * and mercy from God his Saviour.23:5
This is the generation of them that seek him, * of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.23:6
Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: * and the King of Glory shall enter in.23:7
Who is this King of Glory? * the Lord who is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle.23:8
Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: * and the King of Glory shall enter in.23:9
Who is this King of Glory? * the Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory.23:10
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Sing for us again and again before this maiden's bed the tender idylls of the play.
℣.
In thy comeliness and thy beauty.
℟. Go forward, fare prosperously, and reign.
Our Father
is said silently until
And lead us not into temptation:
.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
℣. And lead us not into temptation:
℟. But deliver us from evil.
Absolution.
O Lord Jesus Christ, graciously hear the prayers of Thy servants, and have mercy upon us, Who livest and reignest with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, ever world without end.
℟. Amen.
℣.
Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction.
May the Eternal Father bless us with an eternal blessing.
℟. Amen.
Reading 1
Lesson from the book of Canticles
Song 1:1-4
1
Let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth: for thy breasts are better than wine,
2
Smelling sweet of the best ointments. thy name is as oil poured out: therefore young maidens have loved thee.
3
Draw me: we will run after thee to the odour of thy ointments. The king hath brought me into his storerooms: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, remembering thy breasts more than wine: the righteous love thee.
4
I am black but beautiful, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Cedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℟. This day was the Blessed Virgin Mary born of the lineage of David.
* The same is she through whom the salvation of the world hath been manifested before the eyes of all believers. This is she whose glorious life hath given light to the world.
℣. Let us keep with rejoicing the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
℟. The same is she through whom the salvation of the world hath been manifested before the eyes of all believers. This is she whose glorious life hath given light to the world.
℣.
Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction.
May the Son, the Sole-begotten, mercifully bless and keep us.
℟. Amen.
Reading 2
Song 1:5-9
5
Do not consider me that I am brown, because the sun hath altered my colour: the sons of my mother have fought against me, they have made me the keeper in the vineyards: my vineyard I have not kept.
6
Show me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou liest in the midday, lest I begin to wander after the flocks of thy companions.
7
If thou know not thyself, O fairest among women, go forth, and follow after the steps of the flocks, and feed thy kids beside the tents of the shepherds.
8
To my company of horsemen, in Pharao's chariots, have I likened thee, O my love.
9
Thy cheeks are beautiful as the turtledove's, thy neck as jewels.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℟. Let us keep right heartily the Birthday of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary,
* That she may pray for us to our Lord Jesus Christ.
℣. Let us keep with right hearty rejoicing the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
℟. That she may pray for us to our Lord Jesus Christ.
℣.
Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction.
May the grace of the Holy Spirit enlighten all our hearts and minds.
℟. Amen.
Reading 3
Song 1:10-16
10
We will make thee chains of gold, inlaid with silver.
11
While the king was at his repose, my spikenard sent forth the odour thereof.
12
A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me, he shall abide between my breasts.
13
A cluster of cypress my love is to me, in the vineyards of Engaddi.
14
Behold thou art fair, O my love, behold thou art fair, thy eyes are as those of doves.
15
Behold thou art fair, my beloved, and comely. Our bed is flourishing.
16
The beams of our houses are of cedar, our rafters of cypress trees.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℟. Let us tell again of the right worthy Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
* The same is she whose lowliness the Lord regarded, she who by the message of an Angel conceived the Saviour of the world.
℣. Let us keep right earnestly the Birthday of the most Blessed Virgin Mary.
℟. The same is she whose lowliness the Lord regarded, she who by the message of an Angel conceived the Saviour of the world.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. The same is she whose lowliness the Lord regarded, she who by the message of an Angel conceived the Saviour of the world.
Nocturn II
Ant. In thy comeliness and thy beauty, * go forward, fare prosperously, and reign.
Psalm 44
My heart hath uttered a good word; * I speak my works to the King.44:2
My tongue is the pen of a scrivener * that writeth swiftly.44:2
Thou art beautiful above the sons of men: grace is poured abroad in thy lips; * therefore hath God blessed thee for ever.44:3
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, * O thou most mighty.44:4
With thy comeliness and thy beauty * set out, proceed prosperously, and reign.44:5
Because of truth and meekness and justice: * and thy right hand shall conduct thee wonderfully.44:5
Thy arrows are sharp: under thee shall people fall, * into the hearts of the king’s enemies.44:6
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: * the sceptre of thy kingdom is a sceptre of uprightness.44:7
Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity: * therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.44:8
Myrrh and stacte and cassia perfume thy garments, from the ivory houses: * out of which the daughters of kings have delighted thee in thy glory.44:9
The queen stood on thy right hand, in gilded clothing; * surrounded with variety.44:10
Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thy ear: * and forget thy people and thy father’s house.44:11
And the king shall greatly desire thy beauty; * for he is the Lord thy God, and him they shall adore.44:12
And the daughters of Tyre with gifts, * yea, all the rich among the people, shall entreat thy countenance.44:13
All the glory of the king’s daughter is within, * in golden borders, clothed round about with varieties.44:14
After her shall virgins be brought to the king: * her neighbours shall be brought to thee.44:15
They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing: * they shall be brought into the temple of the king.44:16
Instead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee: * thou shalt make them princes over all the earth.44:17
They shall remember thy name * throughout all generations.44:18
Therefore shall people praise thee for ever; yea, * for ever and ever.44:18
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. In thy comeliness and thy beauty, go forward, fare prosperously, and reign.
Ant.
God shall help * her with His countenance: God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved.
Psalm 45
Our God is our refuge and strength: * a helper in troubles, which have found us exceedingly.45:2
Therefore we will not fear, when the earth shall be troubled; * and the mountains shall be removed into the heart of the sea.45:3
Their waters roared and were troubled: * the mountains were troubled with his strength.45:4
The stream of the river maketh the city of God joyful: * the most High hath sanctified his own tabernacle.45:5
God is in the midst thereof, it shall not be moved: * God will help it in the morning early.45:6
Nations were troubled, and kingdoms were bowed down: * he uttered his voice, the earth trembled.45:7
The Lord of armies is with us: * the God of Jacob is our protector.45:8
Come and behold ye the works of the Lord: what wonders he hath done upon earth, * making wars to cease even to the end of the earth.45:9
He shall destroy the bow, and break the weapons: * and the shield he shall burn in the fire.45:10
Be still and see that I am God; * I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth.45:11
The Lord of armies is with us: * the God of Jacob is our protector.45:12
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. God shall help her with His countenance: God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved.
Ant.
O Holy Mother of God * all we who dwell in thee are in gladness.
Psalm 86
The foundations thereof are in the holy mountains: * The Lord loveth the gates of Sion above all the tabernacles of Jacob.86:1
Glorious things are said of thee, * O city of God.86:3
I will be mindful of Rahab and of Babylon * knowing me.86:4
Behold the foreigners, and Tyre, and the people of the Ethiopians, * these were there.86:4
Shall not Sion say: This man and that man is born in her? * and the Highest himself hath founded her.86:5
The Lord shall tell in his writings of peoples and of princes, * of them that have been in her.86:6
The dwelling in thee * is as it were of all rejoicing.86:7
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. O Holy Mother of God all we who dwell in thee are in gladness.
℣.
God shall help her with His countenance.
℟. God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved.
Our Father
is said silently until
And lead us not into temptation:
.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
℣. And lead us not into temptation:
℟. But deliver us from evil.
Absolution.
May His loving-kindness and mercy help us, Who liveth and reigneth with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, world without end.
℟. Amen.
℣.
Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction.
May God the Father Omnipotent, be to us merciful and clement.
℟. Amen.
Reading 4
From the Sermons of St. Augustine, Bishop
of Hippo.
18th on the Saints.
Dearly beloved brethren, the day for which we have longed, the Feast-day of the Blessed and Worshipful and Ever-Virgin Mary, that day is come. Let our land laugh and sing with merriment, bathed in the glory of this great Virgin's rising. She is the flower of the fields on which the priceless lily of the valleys hath blossomed. This is she whose delivery changed the nature that we draw from our first parents, and cleansed away their offence. At her that dolorous sentence which was pronounced over Eve ended its course to her it was never said: “In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children.”
Gen. iii. 16.
She brought forth a Child, even the Lord, but she brought Him forth, not in sorrow, but in joy.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℟. This day was born the glorious Virgin Mary, a child of the seed of Abraham, a daughter of the tribe of Judah, a Princess of the lineage of David.
* This is she whose famous life still sheddeth lustre upon all the Churches.
℣. This day was the Blessed Virgin Mary born of the lineage of David.
℟. This is she whose famous life still sheddeth lustre upon all the Churches.
℣.
Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction.
May Christ to all His people give, for ever in His sight to live.
℟. Amen.
Reading 5
Eve wept, but Mary laughed. Eve's womb was big with tears, but Mary's womb was big with gladness. Eve gave birth to a sinner, but Mary gave birth to the sinless One. The mother of our race brought punishment into the world, but the Mother of our Lord brought salvation into the world. Eve was the foundress of sin, but Mary was the foundress of righteousness. Eve welcomed death, but Mary helped in life. Eve smote, but Mary healed. For Eve's disobedience, Mary offered obedience and for Eve's unbelief, Mary offered faith.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℟. Let us keep with rejoicing the Birthday of the Blessed Mary,
* That she may pray for us to our Lord Jesus Christ.
℣. With all our heart and with all our soul let us sing praise to Christ on this the solemn Feastday of Mary the mighty Mother of God.
℟. That she may pray for us to our Lord Jesus Christ.
℣.
Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction.
May the Spirit's fire Divine in our hearts enkindled shine.
℟. Amen.
Reading 6
Let Mary now make a loud noise upon the organ, and between its quick notes let the rattling of the Mother's timbrel be heard. Let the gladsome choirs sing with her, and their sweet hymns mingle with the changing music. Hearken to what a song her timbrel will make accompaniment. She saith: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He hath regarded the lowliness of His hand-maiden, for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed for He That is Mighty hath done to me great things.” The new miracle of Mary's delivery hath effaced the curse of the frail backslider, and the singing of Mary hath silenced the wailing of Eve.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℟. Thy Birth, O Virgin Mother of God, was a message of joy to the whole world;
* For out of thee rose the Sun of righteousness, even Christ our God, Who hath taken away the curse and brought a blessing, confounded death, and given unto us everlasting life.
℣. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb.
℟. For out of thee rose the Sun of righteousness, even Christ our God.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. Who hath taken away the curse and brought a blessing, confounded death, and given unto us everlasting life.
Nocturn III
Ant. Joy to thee, * O Virgin Mary, thou hast trampled down all the heresies in the whole world.
Psalm 95
Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: * sing to the Lord, all the earth.95:1
Sing ye to the Lord and bless his name: * shew forth his salvation from day to day.95:2
Declare his glory among the Gentiles: * his wonders among all people.95:3
For the Lord is great, and exceedingly to be praised: * he is to be feared above all gods.95:4
For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: * but the Lord made the heavens.95:5
Praise and beauty are before him: * holiness and majesty in his sanctuary.95:6
Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of the Gentiles, bring ye to the Lord glory and honour: * bring to the Lord glory unto his name.95:7
Bring up sacrifices, and come into his courts: * adore ye the Lord in his holy court.95:8
Let all the earth be moved at his presence. * Say ye among the Gentiles, the Lord hath reigned.95:9
For he hath corrected the world, which shall not be moved: * he will judge the people with justice.95:10
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, let the sea be moved, and the fulness thereof: * the fields and all things that are in them shall be joyful.95:11
Then shall all the trees of the woods rejoice before the face of the Lord, because he cometh: * because he cometh to judge the earth.95:12
He shall judge the world with justice, * and the people with his truth.95:13
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Joy to thee, O Virgin Mary, thou hast trampled down all the heresies in the whole world.
Ant.
Holy Virgin, my praise by thee accepted be; * give me strength against thine enemies.
Psalm 96
The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice: * let many islands be glad.96:1
Clouds and darkness are round about him: * justice and judgment are the establishment of his throne.96:2
A fire shall go before him, * and shall burn his enemies round about.96:3
His lightnings have shone forth to the world: * the earth saw and trembled.96:4
The mountains melted like wax, at the presence of the Lord: * at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.96:5
The heavens declared his justice: * and all people saw his glory.96:6
Let them be all confounded that adore graven things, * and that glory in their idols.96:7
Adore him, all you his angels: * Sion heard, and was glad.96:7
And the daughters of Juda rejoiced, * because of thy judgments, O Lord.96:8
For thou art the most high Lord over all the earth: * thou art exalted exceedingly above all gods.96:9
You that love the Lord, hate evil: * the Lord preserveth the souls of his saints, he will deliver them out of the hand of the sinner.96:10
Light is risen to the just, * and joy to the right of heart.96:11
Rejoice, ye just, in the Lord: * and give praise to the remembrance of his holiness.96:12
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Holy Virgin, my praise by thee accepted be; give me strength against thine enemies.
Ant.
After thy delivery thou still remainest a virgin; * undefiled Mother of God, pray for us.
Psalm 97
Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: * because he hath done wonderful things.97:1
His right hand hath wrought for him salvation, * and his arm is holy.97:1
The Lord hath made known his salvation: * he hath revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles.97:2
He hath remembered his mercy * and his truth toward the house of Israel.97:3
All the ends of the earth have seen * the salvation of our God.97:3
Sing joyfully to God, all the earth; * make melody, rejoice and sing.97:4
Sing praise to the Lord on the harp, on the harp, and with the voice of a psalm: * with long trumpets, and sound of cornet.97:5
Make a joyful noise before the Lord our king: * let the sea be moved and the fulness thereof: the world and they that dwell therein.97:6
The rivers shall clap their hands, the mountains shall rejoice together at the presence of the Lord: * because he cometh to judge the earth.97:8
He shall judge the world with justice, * and the people with equity.97:9
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. After thy delivery thou still remainest a virgin; undefiled Mother of God, pray for us.
℣.
God hath chosen her, and fore-chosen her.
℟. He hath made her to dwell in His tabernacle.
Our Father
is said silently until
And lead us not into temptation:
.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
℣. And lead us not into temptation:
℟. But deliver us from evil.
Absolution.
May the Almighty and merciful Lord loose us from the bonds of our sins.
℟. Amen.
℣.
Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction.
May the Gospel's holy lection Be our safety and protection.
℟. Amen.
Reading 7
From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Matt 1:1-17
The Book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac, and Isaac begat Jacob. And so on.
Homily by St. Jerome, Priest (at Bethlehem)
Bk. i, Comm. on Matth.
In Isaiah
liii. 8
we read: “Who shall declare His generation?” Let us not think that there is any contradiction between the Prophet and the Evangelist, because the Prophet saith that this thing cannot be done, and the Evangelist beginneth by doing it. The one speaketh of the generation of the Divine (Word by the Eternal Father,) the other of the (family in which the) Incarnation
took place.
Matthew beginneth with carnal things, that by learning of men we may go on to learn of God. “The Son of David, the son of Abraham.” The reversal of the order in these clauses is a needful change. If Abraham had been put first and David afterwards, Abraham would have had to be taken again, in order to marshal the pedigree properly.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℟. All generations shall call me blessed,
* For the Lord that is mighty hath magnified me, and holy is his Name.
℣. And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations.
℟. For the Lord that is mighty hath magnified me, and holy is his Name.
℣.
Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction.
She whose feast-day we are keeping, Mary, blessed Maid of Maidens, be our Advocate with God.
℟. Amen.
Reading 8
Matthew first calleth Christ the Son of these twain Abraham and David without making mention of the others, because unto these twain only was promise of Christ made unto Abraham, where it is said: “In thy seed”
that is, in Christ
“shall all the nations of the earth be blessed,”
Gen. xxii. 18
and unto David, in the words “Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.”
Ps. cxxxi, 11
“And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar.” It is to be remarked that in the genealogy of the Saviour none of the holy women are named, but those women only are named against whom the Scripture hath to say something amiss. He Who came to save sinners was born of sinners, that He might wash away all sin. Afterwards are named Ruth, who was a Moabitess, and Bathsheba, who had been the wife of Uriah.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℟. O Holy Virgin Mary, happy indeed art thou, and right worthy of all praise
* For out of thee rose the Sun of righteousness, * Even Christ our God.
℣. Pray for the people, plead for the clergy, make intercession for all women vowed to God. May all that are keeping this day in honour of thy Nativity feel the might of thine assistance.
℟. For out of thee rose the Sun of righteousness, even Christ our God.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. Even Christ our God.
℣.
Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction.
May He that is the Angels' King to that high realm His people bring.
℟. Amen.
Reading 9
And Jacob begat Joseph. Julian Augustus citeth this passage as an example of the lack of harmony among the Evangelists. Matthew the Evangelist saith that Joseph was the son of Jacob; Luke calleth him the son of Eli. But Julian did not understand scriptural custom. One writer may refer to a father according to nature, another to a father according to the law. We know that by God's command Moses laid down a law that should a man die without children his brother or his nearest relative was to marry the widow to raise up seed to the dead man. Joseph was the husband of Mary. When you hear the word husband do not entertain the notion of marriage in the usual sense. In the language of the Scriptures a betrothed pair were often called husband and wife.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.
Te Deum
We praise thee, O God, * we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, * the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud, * the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim * continually do cry.
bow head
Holy, Holy, Holy * Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full * of the Majesty of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles * praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets * praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs * praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world * doth acknowledge thee;
The Father, * of an infinite Majesty.
Thine honourable, true, * and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost, * the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory, * O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting * Son of the Father.
During the following verse all make a profound bow:
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, * thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, * thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, * in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come * to be our Judge.
Kneel for the following verse
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants, * whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious Blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints, * in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save thy people, * and bless thine heritage.
Govern them, * and lift them up for ever.
Day by day * we magnify thee;
During the following verse, by local custom, all make a profound bow.
And we worship thy Name * ever, world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us * this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us, * have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us, * as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted, * let me never be confounded.
Skip the rest, unless praying
Lauds
separately.
Prayer
{from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Grant unto us thy servants, we beseech thee, O Lord, the gift of thy heavenly grace, unto whom Thou didst give the first sight of a Saviour as the offspring of a Blessed Virgin, and grant that this Feast, which they keep in honour of the same Virgin, may avail them unto the increase of peace.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Conclusion
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℣. Let us bless the Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℣. May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen.
