Tuesday, December 2
The Vespers Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m

First Week of Advent


The Call to Prayer
Open my lips, O Lord,* and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice,* but you take no delight in burnt-offerings. The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit;* a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Psalm 51:16-18

The Request for Presence
Out of the depths have I called to you, O LORD; LORD, hear my voice;* let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
Psalm 130:1


The Greeting

You have put gladness in my heart,* more than when grain and wine and oil increase. I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep;* for only you, LORD,make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:7-8

The Hymn

O God, creation’s secret force, Yourself unmoved, yet motion’s source, Who from the morn till evening’s ray Through every change does guide the day: Grant us, when this short life is past, The glorious evening that will last; That, by a holy death attained Eternal glory may be gained. Grant this, O Father ever one With Jesus Christ Your only Son And Holy Ghost, whom all adore, Reigning and blessed forevermore.
adapted from THE SHORT BREVIARY

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

The LORD has sworn an oath to David;* in truth, he will not break it: “Ason, the fruit of your body* will I set upon your throne.”
Psalm 132:11-12

The Vespers Psalm

My Heart, Therefore, Is Glad

O LORD, you are my portion and my cup;* it is you who uphold my lot. My boundaries enclose a pleasant land;* indeed, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the LORD who gives me counsel;* my heart teaches me, night after night. I have set the LORD always before me;* because he is at my right hand I shall not fall. My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices;* my body also shall rest in hope. For you will not abandon me to the grave,* nor let your holy one see the Pit. You will show me the path of life;* in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
Psalm 16:5-11

The Refrain

The LORD has sworn an oath to David;* in truth, he will not break it: “Ason, the fruit of your body* will I set upon your throne.”

The Cry of the Church

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

Almighty God, give all of us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.†

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Stir up Your power, we beseech You, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Your deliverance. Who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
adapted from THE SHORT BREVIARY