Call to Worship

While making the sign of the cross:

Lord, open my lips.
And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia!

Hymn

Born This Day (1)

The people who wandered in darkness
have seen a marvelous light.
And on those who lived too long in the shadows,
a great light shines.

There is a child born this day.
A son who will lead us to greatness and glory.
He shall be Wonderful Counselor, powerful God,
always faithful father, faithful prince of peace.

The burden that weighed on our shoulders
is lifted on this wonderful day.
God has granted us abundant rejoicing
that knows no end.

There is a child born this day.
A son who will lead us to greatness and glory.
He shall be Wonderful Counselor, powerful God,
always faithful father, faithful prince of peace.

The people who wandered in darkness
have seen a marvelous light.
And on those who lived too long in the shadows,
a great light shines.

There is a child born this day.
A son who will lead us to greatness and glory.
He shall be Wonderful Counselor, powerful God,
always faithful father, faithful prince of peace.

PSALMODY

Psalm 63

Ant. The wise men opened their treasures and offered to the Lord gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, alleluia.

O God, you are my God, for you I long;
for you, my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you
like a dry, weary land without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary
to see your strength and your glory.

For your love is better than life,
my lips will speak your praise.
So I will bless you all my life;
in your name, I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet;
my mouth shall praise you with joy.

On my bed, I remember you.
On you, I muse through the night,
for you have been my help;
in the shadow of your wings, I rejoice.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand holds me fast.

Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning
is now and will be forever.
Amen.

Ant. The wise men opened their treasures and offered to the Lord gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, alleluia.

Psalm Prayer

Father, creator of unfailing light, give that same light to those who call to you. May our lips praise you, our lives proclaim your goodness, our works give you honor, and our voices celebrate you for ever.

Canticle
Daniel 3:57-88, 56

Song of the Three Young Men (2)

Ant. Mighty seas and rivers, bless the Lord; springs of water, sing his praises, alleluia.

All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
O you heavens and you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Praise and exalted above all forever!
Powers of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Sun and moon, stars of heaven, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Rain and dew, ev’ry wind, fire and heat, cold and warmth, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Praise and exalted above all forever!

Lightning and clouds, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Nights and days, light and darkness, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Ice and snow, frost and cold, ev’ry snow storm and dew, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Praise and exalted above all forever!
Let all the earth bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Mountains and hills, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Ev’ry plant that grows, springs of water, seas and rivers, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Praise and exalted above all forever!

All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
And let ev’ry kind of bird bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
All you whales and ev’rything that moves in the waters, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Praise and exalted above all forever!
Let the whole human race bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
O Israel, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
All you priests and God’s servants, souls of the just, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Praise and exalted above all forever!

Faithful people, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Humble-hearted people, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Praise and exalted above all forever!
God has rescued us from death, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
God has drawn us from the flames, bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord, the God of gods, all you who fear him! Bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Praise and exalted above all forever!

Let us bless the Father, Bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Let us bless his Son Jesus! Bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Let us bless their Holy Spirit forever! Bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Praise and exalted above all forever!
Blessed are you Lord, Bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
In the firmament of heaven! Bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all forever! Bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!
Praise and exalted above all forever!

Ant. Mighty seas and rivers, bless the Lord; springs of water, sing his praises, alleluia.

Psalm 149

Ant. Jerusalem, your light has come; the glory of the Lord dawns upon you. People of every race shall walk in the splendor of your sunrise, alleluia.

Sing a new song to the Lord,
God’s praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its maker.
Let the people of Zion exult in their king.
Let them praise God’s name with dancing
and make music with timbrel and harp.

For the Lord takes delight in this people
and crowns the poor with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory,
shout for joy and take their rest.
Let the praise of God be on their lips
and a two-edged sword in their hand,

to deal out vengeance to the nations
and punishment on all the peoples;
to bind their kings in chains
and their nobles in fetters of iron;
to carry out the sentence pre-ordained;
this honor is for all God’s faithful.

Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning
is now and will be forever.
Amen.

Ant. Jerusalem, your light has come; the glory of the Lord dawns upon you. People of every race shall walk in the splendor of your sunrise, alleluia.

Reading

A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah
(Isaiah 52:7-10)

How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings glad tidings,
Announcing peace, bearing good news,
announcing salvation and saying to Zion,
”Your God is king!”
Hark! Your sentries raise a cry,
together, they shout for joy,
For they see directly, before their eyes,
the Lord restoring Zion.
Break out together in song,
O ruins of Jerusalem!
For the Lord comforts his people,
and redeems Jerusalem.
The Lord has bared his holy arm
in the sight of all the nations;
All the ends of the earth will behold
the salvation of our God.

The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Take a few moments to reflect on the reading.

Responsory

All the rulers of the earth will bow down in worship.
All the rulers of the earth will bow down in worship.
Men and women of every nation will serve him.
They will bow down in worship.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
All the rulers of the earth will bow down in worship.

Gospel Canticle
Canticle of Zechariah

Benedictus (3)
Luke 1:68-79

Ant. Today, the Bridegroom claims his bride, the Church, since Christ has washed her sins away in Jordan’s waters; the Magi hasten with their gifts to the royal wedding; and the wedding guests rejoice, for Christ has changed water into wine, alleluia.

While making the sign of the cross:

Blest be the Lord, the God of Israel
Who brings the dawn and darkest night dispels,
Who raises up a mighty Savior from the earth,
Of David’s line, a son of royal birth.

The prophets tell a story just begun
Of vanquished foe and glorious vict’ry won,
Of promise made to all who keep the law as guide:
God’s faithful love and mercy will abide.

This is the oath once sworn to Abraham:
All shall be free to dwell upon the land,
Free now to praise, unharmed by the oppressor’s rod,
Holy and righteous in the sight of God.

And you, my child, this day you shall be called
The promised one, the prophet of our God,
For you will go before the Lord to clear the way,
And shepherd all into the light of day.

The tender love God promised from our birth
Is soon to dawn upon this shadowed earth,
To shine on those whose sorrows seem to never cease,
To guide our feet into the path of peace.

All glory be to God, Creator blest,
To Jesus Christ, God’s love made manifest,
And to the Holy Spirit, gentle Comforter,
All glory be, both now and evermore.

Ant. Today, the Bridegroom claims his bride, the Church, since Christ has washed her sins away in Jordan’s waters; the Magi hasten with their gifts to the royal wedding; and the wedding guests rejoice, for Christ has changed water into wine, alleluia.

Intercessions

Today our Savior was adored by the Magi. Let us also worship him with joy as we pray:
Child of Mary, hear our prayer.

Christ, you revealed yourself in the flesh, sanctify us through prayer and the word of God.
All creation, raise your voices:
Child of Mary, hear our prayer.

Christ, your witness was the Spirit; free our lives from the spirit of doubt.
All creation, raise your voices:
Child of Mary, hear our prayer.

Christ, you revealed yourself to the angels; help us to feel the joy of heaven on earth.
All creation, raise your voices:
Child of Mary, hear our prayer.

Christ, you were proclaimed to the nations, by the power of the Holy Spirit, open the hearts of all.
All creation, raise your voices:
Child of Mary, hear our prayer.

Christ, you generated faith in the world; renew the faith of all believers.
All creation, raise your voices:
Child of Mary, hear our prayer.

Christ, you were taken up in glory; enkindle in us a longing for your kingdom.
All creation, raise your voices:
Child of Mary, hear our prayer.

For the sick who have asked us to accompany them with our prayers that they may experience your merciful and healing touch today.

Please pray aloud the names of those who are sick or in need of healing.

All creation, raise your voices:
Child of Mary, hear our prayer. (4)

The Lord’s Prayer

And now let us pray with confidence as Christ our Lord asked:

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.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly God,
You revealed your Son to the nations by the guidance of a star.
Lead us to your glory in heaven by the light of faith.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Blessing

While making the sign of the cross:

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

Flos Carmeli (5)

Flos Carmeli
Vitis florigera
Splendor caeli
Virgo puerpera
—Singularis.

Mater mitis
Sed viri nescia
Carmelitis
Esto propitia
—Stella maris.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Sant’Angelo,
Pray for us.

Let us spend this day in peace.
Thanks be to God.

Credits and Permissions

All text and music are in the public domain or used with permission:
OneLicense A-726188. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise stated, all music is published by OCP or a division of OCP.

Julian Pardo produces all audio.
Michael J. Aguilar produces all videos.

1. Lyrics: Ken Canedo, based on Isaiah 9:1-2a, 5
   Music: Ken Canedo, copyright 2004, 2005.
   Lead Vocals: Brooke Moltrum
   Choir: Benjamín Aguilar, O.Carm.,
   Matthew Gummess, O.Carm., and Nick Ritacco.
   Viola: Briana Bandy
   Guitar, Bass & Percussion: Julian Pardo
   Piano: Benjamín Aguilar, O.Carm.,

2. Text: based on Daniel 3:57-58.
   Music: copyright 1991, Cyprian (Daniel) Consiglio, OSB Cam.
   Lead vocals: Nick Ritacco.
   Other vocals: Benjamin Aguilar, O.Carm., Carl Markelz, O.Carm.

3. Lyrics: Based on Luke 1:68-79; Owen Alstott, b. 1947,
   copyright 1993, Owen Alstott.
   Music: Bernadette Farrell, b. 1957, copyright 1993, Bernadette Farrell.
   Vocals: Steven Begert-Clark
   Piano: Benjamin Aguilar, O.Carm.
   Bells: Julian Pardo.

4. From ‘General Intercessions-Christmas.’
   Text: Gabe Houck, copyright 2004.
   Music: Based on DIVINUM MYSTERIUM, adapted & arranged by Tony E. Alonzo, copyright 2004.
   Vocals: Nick Ritacco and The Carmelites.

5. Traditional.
   Vocals: The Carmelites.