Antiphon
O Clavis David

O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel;
you open and no one can shut;
you shut and no one can open:
Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,
those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
(cf Isaiah 22.22, 42.7)

Readings (Click the links to see the readings)

Isaiah 7.10-14 | Psalm 24.1-6 | Luke 1.28-38 |

Of the Father's Love Begotten
Prudentius (348–413)

Of the Father's love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that aalign"> have been,
And that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!
At His Word the worlds were framed; He commanded; it was done:
Heaven and earth and depths of ocean in their threefold order one;
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning sun, evermore and evermore!
He is found in human fashion, death and sorrow here to know,
That the race of Adam's children doomed by law to endless woe,
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below, evermore and evermore!
O that birth forever blessed, when the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving, bare the Saviour of our race;
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face, evermore and evermore!
This is He Whom seers in old time chanted of with one accord;
Whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word;
Now He shines, the long expected,
Let creation praise its Lord, evermore and evermore!
O ye heights of heaven adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert sing, evermore and evermore!
Righteous judge of souls departed, righteous King of them that live,
On the Father's throne exalted none in might with Thee may strive;
Who at last in vengeance coming
Sinners from Thy face shalt drive, evermore and evermore!
Thee let old men, thee let young men, thee let boys in chorus sing;
Matrons, virgins, little maidens, with glad voices answering:
Let their guileless songs re-echo,
And the heart its music bring, evermore and evermore!
Christ, to Thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be:
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory, evermore and evermore!

Fra Angelico. The Annunciation (1426), Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid

Peter Gabriel. Bread and Wine, from the soundtrack for the movie "The Last Temptation of Christ." (1989).

Be-Attitude: Blessed are those who seek righteousness to do right by others.

Prayer

God of all people and all nations,
you break through the cynicism of our world
and offer a vision of the lion and lamb lying down together.
Open our eyes to see the signs of your coming kingdom
and inspire us to participate in all you are doing in Jesus' name.
—Presbyterian World Service & Development.

Justice, mercy and peace

Today is International Human Solidarity Day. "In a world of common challenges, no nation can succeed on its own; but by working together in common cause, we can build a safer, more prosperous future for all. Solidarity must be the foundation for global solutions." Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Message for International Human Solidarity Day, 2011.