Christmas Vespers Hymns

Titus, 3, 4-5

The goodness and kindness of God our Savior hath appeared: not by the works of justice, which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us.

Hymn

O Jesus, Redeemer of mankind, begotten of the Father before all ages, equal to him in glory.

O thou, light and splendor of the Father, thou, the eternal hope of all, listen to the prayers of thy servants throughout the world.
Remember, 0 Creator of the world, that at thy birth, thou didst assume a body like ours in the blessed womb of the Virgin.

This day, which recurs each year, attests that thou alone didst come forth from the bosom of the Father to be the salvation of the world.
This author of our new life, the stars, the earth, the sea and everything that is under the heavens greets with a new canticle.

And we, washed in the blessed stream of thy Precious Blood, we pay thee the tribute of a hymn on this thy birthday.
O Jesus, born of the Virgin, eternal glory be to thee, with the Father and the Holy Spirit for all eternity. Amen.

First Vespers (Christmas Eve)

Hebrews 1, 1-2

God, who diversely and in many ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, in these days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world.

HYMN

O Jesus, Redeemer of mankind, begotten of the Father before all ages, equal to him in glory.

O thou, light and splendor of the Father, thou, the eternal hope of all, listen to the prayers of thy servants throughout the world.

Remember, O Creator of the world, that at thy birth, thou didst assume a body like ours in the blessed womb of the Virgin.

This day, which recurs each year, attests that thou alone didst come forth from the bosom of the Father to be the salvation of the world.

This author of our new life, the stars, the earth, the sea, and everything that is under the heavens greets with a new canticle.

And we, washed in the blessed stream of thy Precious Blood, we pay thee the tribute of a hymn on this thy birthday.

O Jesus, born of the Virgin, eternal glory be to thee, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, for all eternity. Amen.

V. The Lord has made known, alleluia.
R. His salvation, alleluia.

At the Magnif. Ant. Today * Christ is born: today the Savior hath appeared: today the Angels sing on earth, the Archangels rejoice : today the just exult, saying: Glory be to God in the highest, alleluia.

Prayer

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that the new birth in the flesh of thine only-begotten Son may set us free, who, because of the former bondage of our race, are still borne down under the yoke of sin. Through the same Jesus Christ Our Lord and Saviour who lives and reigns with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Christmas Day Vespers