Call to Worship

While making the sign of the cross:

God, come to our assistance.
Lord, make haste to help us.

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!

Examination of Conscience

As we come to the end of our day, we give thanks and praise to our Lord for His grace and mercy.

Pause and make a brief examination of conscience.

Kyrie

Kyrie eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.
Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
Kyrie eleison. (1)

Hymn

Child of the Poor (2)

Voice 1:
Helpless and hungry,
lowly he lies,
wrapped in the chill of midwinter;
comes now among us,
born into poverty’s embrace,
new life for the world.

Who is this who lives with the lowly,
sharing their sorrows,
knowing their hunger?

This is Christ,
revealed to the world
in the eyes of a child,
a child of the poor.

Voice 2:
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.

(Voice 1 and Voice 2 sing following together as a duet)

Voice 1: Bring all the thirsty,
all who seek peace;
bring those with nothing to offer.
Strengthen the feeble,
say to the frightened heart:
Fear not: here is your God!

Who is this who lives with the lowly,
sharing their sorrows,
knowing their hunger?

This is Christ,
revealed to the world
in the eyes of a child,
a child of the poor.

Voice 2:
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.

Psalm 16

Ant. In you, my God, my body will rest in hope.

Protect me, God,
I turn to you for help.
I profess, “You are my Lord,
My greatest good.”

I once put faith in false gods,
The idols of the land.
Now, I make no offering to them,
Nor invoke their names.
Those who chase after them
Add grief upon grief.

Lord, you measure out my portion,
The shape of my future;
You mark off the best place for me
To enjoy my inheritance.

I bless God, who teaches me,
Who schools my heart even at night.
I am sure God is here right beside me.
I cannot be shaken.

So my heart rejoices,
My body thrills with life,
My whole being rests secure.

You will not abandon me to Sheol,
Nor send your faithful one to death.
You show me the road to life:
Boundless joy at your side forever!

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. In you, my God, my body will rest in hope.

Reading

A Reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians
(I Thess. 5:23)

May the God of peace
make you perfect in holiness.
May he preserve you whole and entire,
spirit, soul, and body, irreproachable
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Take a few moments to reflect on the reading.

Responsory

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.
I commend my spirit.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Gospel Canticle
Canticle of Simeon

Ant. Protect us, Lord,
as we stay awake;
watch over us as we sleep,
that awake,
we may keep watch with Christ,
and asleep, rest in his peace.

Luke 2: 29-32

While making the sign of the cross:

Lord, now you let your servant
go in peace;
Your word has been fulfilled:
My own eyes have seen
the salvation
Which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.

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. Protect us, Lord,
as we stay awake;
watch over us as we sleep,
that awake,
we may keep watch with Christ,
and asleep, rest in his peace.

Closing Prayer

Lord God,
Send peaceful sleep
to refresh our tired bodies.
May your help always renew us
and keep us strong in your service.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Blessing

While making the sign of the cross:

May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night
and a peaceful death.
Amen.

Hail Mary, Gentle Woman (3)

Gentle woman, quiet light,
morning star, so strong and bright,
gentle Mother, peaceful dove,
teach us wisdom; teach us love.

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

Silent Night (4)

Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm; all is bright.
’round yon virgin mother and child!
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
heav'nly hosts sing, “Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!”

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!

Credits and Permissions

All text and music 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 Aguilar, Jr. produces all videos.

1. Text and Music: From ‘Mass of Renewal:’
   Curtis Stephan, b. 1973,
   copyright 2009.
   Vocals: The Carmelites.

2. Lyrics: Child of the Poor, Scott Soper, b. 1961, copyright 1994,
   What Child is This, William C. Dix, 1837-1898.
   Music: Child of the Poor, Scott Soper, b. 1961, copyright 1994,
   What Child is This, trad. English Melody, 16th century.
   Vocals: NickRitacco (Voice 1) and Alondra Garza (Voice 2).
   Piano: Benjamín Aguilar, O.Carm.
   Flute: Jeff Dellisanti

3. Lyrics and Music: written by Carey Landry,
   arranged by Martha Lesinski,
   copyrights 1975, 1978.
   Vocals: Mazie Rudolph.

4. Text: Joseph Mohr (1792-1848).
   Music: Stille Nacht, Franz Gruber (1787-1863).
   Viola and Viola Arrangement: Briana Bandy.