Antiphons at Lauds - Sunday of 1st Week

1. A shoot came out from the stump of Jesse, a star was seen rising from Jacob: the Virgin has conceived the Saviour; we praise you, our God.

2. Mary has borne into the world our Saviour, and when John saw him he shouted out saying: This is the Lamb of God, the one that taketh away the sins of the world, Alleluia.

3. The mother has conceived the king, whose name shall last for ever; she has felt the joy a mother feels without losing a virgin's repute; never before, or after, has there been anyone like her.

The ruler in Israel shall give up his people until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure.

Brethren, we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

For it became to God, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: "I will declare your name to my brethren, in the midst of the Church will I sing praise to you." And again: "I will put my trust in him." And again: "Behold I and the children which God has given me."

For then as the children are partakers of the same flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily, he took not on him the nature of angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like to his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

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