December 01, 2024 | Resources by Mike Stanczak
In Luke's Gospel are recorded four prayers, all of which take place around the infancy of Christ. The Church went on to pray these prayers, or prayers inspired by them, from very early on, referring to each of them by the Latin translation of the first word or two of each prayer. These Christians recognized that these prayers are responses to the revelation of God in Christ.
This Advent, let's join together in praying these four prayers, each at a different time of day (morning, midday, evening, bedtime), in hope that the Lord will deepen in us our joy in his salvation as we magnify the Lord.
Morning
Benedictus | Luke 1:68-79
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham,
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Midday
Gloria in Excelsis | Inspired by Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Evening
Magnificat | Luke 1:46-55
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
For he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed;
For he that is mighty has magnified me, and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on those who fear him, throughout all generations.
He has shown the strength of his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has brought down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted the humble and meek.
He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.
He, remembering his mercy, has helped his servant Israel, as he promised to our fathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Bedtime
Nunc Dimittis | Luke 2:29-32
Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of your people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
