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Rorate caeli de super, et nubes pluant Justum
aperiatur terra et germinet Salvatorem.
[O Heavens, drop down your dew and clouds, rain the Just One;
Let Earth be opened and germinate the Savior]
Entrance Antiphon for the Annunciation
Service of Light
Greeting/Invocation
We light the Evening Candle and say or sing:
Light and Peace in Jesus Christ our Lord!
~Thanks be to God!
The Word became flesh,
~and dwelt among us!
EVENING HYMN for the ANNUNCIATION
All creation was renewed By the pow’r of God Most High,
When God’s promise was fulfilled Adam’s race to justify.
By the Holy Spirit’s love God pronounced a saving Word,
Then with free consent and trust Mary’s bore creation’s Lord.
Moment of unequalled faith, Here in any time or place–
Thus did God put on our flesh In the Virgin full of grace.
Christ the Holy One of God, Son of David, Light from Light,
Dwells with us–his glory dimmed Till he comes again with might.
Abba, Word and Spirit praise for this marvel God has done;
In this act of perfect love; Undivided ever One. Amen.
Tune: Nunn Komm Der Heiden Heiland 77.77 Text: Stanbrook Abbey (1971) alt.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
PSALMODY
Antiphon
Behold, I am the servant of Adonai;
let it be for me as you have said.
Psalm 112/113
Servants of God, sing praise,
praise God’s holy Name.
Bless the Name of the Holy One,
both now and forever.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
praised be the Holy Name.
Adonai towers above the nations;
God’s glory shines over the heavens.
Who compares to the Holy One?
Who is enthroned so high,
yet stoops from the heights to look down,
to observe both heaven and Earth?
Love lifts the humble from the dust
And raises the poor from the mire
To be seated with leaders of the people,
and to wear a crown of joy;
The childless, no longer alone,
Rejoice in many children.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love;
as always before,
so now and evermore. Amen.
I am the servant of Adonai;
let it be done to me according to your word.
Reading Philippians 2:6-7
Though he was in the form of God, Jesus, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped at. Instead, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, and was born in the likeness of an ordinary human being.
Silent Prayer
Responsory
R. O virgin Mary, receive the Word given by the angel: You will conceive and bear One who is both Divine and Human. *And you will be called “most blessed of all women.”
V. Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you. *and you will be called “most blessed of all women.” V. Glory to the ABBA and the WORD and the Holy BREATH of Love.
Gospel Canticle of Mary
Antiphon
The Word of God, uttered by the Abba before the dawn of time,
empties self on this day to take our flesh.
It is customary to make the sign of the cross at the beginning of the Gospel Canticle.
My heart + is radiant with the Lord,
My whole being delights in God my Savior.
All people now will call me blessed
For God has loved this humble handmaid.
The Almighty has shown me great favor
Holy is the NAME,
Whose mercy embraces the faithful,
From one generation to the next.
The mighty arm of God,
Scatters the proud in their own conceit,
Pulls tyrants from their thrones
While lifting up the lowly:
Fills the famished with bounty,
And reveals the emptiness of riches.
Rescues lowly Israel,
Sharing such loving kindness,
As promised to our ancestors
To Abraham and Sarah, and their descendants forever.
Glory to the ONE and to WORD
And to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
The Word of God, uttered by the Abba before the dawn of time,
empties self on this day to take our flesh.
Service of Prayer
Litany of Intercession
Incarnate Word of God and Son of Mary of Nazareth,
~In your compassion, hear our prayer.
Gabriel brought the invitation to your Mother, Mary;
~ give us her courage to say “Let your will be done.”
She conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit;
~may your Spirit make us bearers of the Word.
You and your parents were refugees from violence and you were immigrants;
~may we welcome those who flee poverty and war.
Simeon and Anna recognized you in the temple and foretold the suffering your love would entail; ~help us to recognize you in others and comfort those whose hearts are pierced with sorrow.
You shared and entrusted your Mother to the Beloved disciple; ~may we include all who suffer loss in our circle of prayer and concern.
Your coming on Earth marked the beginning of a new age;
~may this great feast in early Spring mark the renewal of all creation.
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
Holy One, Source of all light and life, the virgin Mary conceived and bore a Son who is called Wonderful God and Prince of Peace. May her bold consent and “Let it be” inspire all of us to say “yes” when you call, and bring the Word to birth each day by lending our hands and our hearts to building your reign on Earth as it is in heaven where you live and love both now and forever. ~Amen.
May the God of Life , the Incarnate Word and the Holy Breath of Love + bless us and keep us. ~Amen.
Let us bless Adonai. ~And give thanks to God.
Those who wish may end evening prayer with the Marian Antiphon.
Marian Antiphon
Ave Regina caelorum! Ave Domina Angelorum!
Salve radix, salve porta, Ex qua mundo lux est orta.
Gaude Virgo gloriosa, Super omnes speciosa
Vale, O Valde decora, Et pro nobis Christum exora.
The angel of the Lord brought the message to Mary. ~ And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray. *Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known through the message of an angel; may by his passion and cross be brought to the glory of his resurrection, through the same Christ Our Love. Amen.