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Christmas Time

Evening Prayer

Friday, December 25, 2026

Solemnity · The Nativity of the Lord

Evening Prayer for Friday, December 25, 2026. You can scroll the whole Hour, or use Prayer space. Light is shorter.

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About today

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Christmas is not an idea about love; it is a Child laid in a manger because there was no room. The solemnity of the Nativity holds the humility of God and the dignity of our flesh, given in a place we would not have chosen for a king. Night, straw, and a Name. Ask today for a heart with room, and for the grace to kneel without embarrassment before the poverty of God.

Original – Prayer on Fire.

The Nativity of the Lord — Choose how you want to pray this hour:

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening

God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.

Psalm I

Antiphon

Peace on earth — the Most High has taken our flesh.

Psalm 67 (66):2–4

Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

Psalm

May God have mercy on us and bless us. May he shine his countenance upon us, and may he have mercy on us. So may we know your way upon the earth, your salvation among all nations. Let the peoples confess to you, O God. Let all the peoples confess to you.

Glory Be

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.

Antiphon

Peace on earth — the Most High has taken our flesh.

Magnificat

Antiphon

As he spoke to our fathers, speak to us in this evening hour.

Luke 1:46–55

Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

Canticle

And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord. And my spirit leaps for joy in God my Savior. For he has looked with favor on the humility of his handmaid. For behold, from this time, all generations shall call me blessed. For he who is great has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is from generation to generations for those who fear him. He has accomplished powerful deeds with his arm. He has scattered the arrogant in the intentions of their heart. He has deposed the powerful from their seat, and he has exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has taken up his servant Israel, mindful of his mercy, just as he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Glory Be

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.

Antiphon

As he spoke to our fathers, speak to us in this evening hour.

Intentions

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Shared by the community

For Mary and Dewey as they prepare for their upcoming wedding, may the Holy Spirit be with them and help grow their love for one another through Holy Matrimony.

R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.

For the Church, that we may witness with courage and gentleness on this holy day.

R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Closing prayer

God our Father, you give the Church this day of The Nativity of the Lord. Let the grace of this Hour stay with us in work and rest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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