Nativity of Our Lady - September 12 - Trinity 15

Scriptures and Hymns • September 12

The Nativity of Our Lady • The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity

Processional Hymn 38

1. HAIL, Mary, hail! the western sky is glowing,
    The sun sinks down ’neath yon empurpled hill,
   From distant shores the fresh sea-breeze is blowing,
    Sweet falls the music of the plashing rill.
2. Hail, Mary, hail! that solemn stillness breaking,
    Sure on the ear a sweeter music fell,
   The distant echoes of the valley waking;
    Hark! ’tis the summons of the vesper-bell.
3. Hail, Mary, hail! like words from the departed
    Speaks the monition of that saint-bell’s toll—
   Of blessings slighted to the thankless-hearted,
    Of peace and gladness to the earth-wearied soul.
4. Hail, Mary, hail! the heavens are faintly lighted,
    The sun is down, the flickering star-beams shine
   Pale through the mist-wreaths, while on eyes benighted
    Streams a mild radiance from the tapered shrine.
5. Hail, Mary, hail! the bell hath ceased its ringing,
    The wearied labourer sinks to early rest.
   But hark! within the choir is sweetly singing
    Of Him Who lay, dear Mother, on thy breast.
6. Hail, Jesus, hail! to Thee our nightly greetings
    Wakeful we raise, though men around us sleep;
   Thou wilt not chide Thy Church’s oft repeatings;
    Do Thou our souls from works of darkness keep! Amen.

The Collect

WE thank thee, O God, for that most sweet and laudable pattern set before us by the holy Lady Mary, mother of Jesus, whom thy holy church hath ever held up unto her people as a bright ensample of purity and godly life; and we pray that on this the festival of her nativity there may shine forth within us the light of ever-growing purity and holiness; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle

The portion of scripture appointed for the epistle is taken from the eighth chapter of the Book of Proverbs, beginning at the twenty second verse.

THE Lord created me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. I was poured out from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth was. When there were no depths I was brought forth; when there were no springs abounding with water. Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills was I brought forth; while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, not the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there, and when he drew a circle upon the face of the deep. When he established the clouds above, when he strengthened the fountains of the deep, when he set the boundaries of the sea, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him as one brought up with him, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; rejoicing in the habitable parts of his earth, and my delights were with mankind. Now therefore listen unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed are they that listen to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life and shall win favour of the Lord.

Proper Gradual for Festivals of Our Lady

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee:
 blessed art thou among women.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord:
 be it unto me according to thy word.

My soul doth magnify the Lord:
 and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For He hath regarded:
 the lowliness of His handmaiden.

For behold, from henceforth:
 all generations shall call me blessed.

For He that is mighty hath magnified me:
 and holy is His Name.

The Gospel

The holy gospel is taken from the first chapter of the Gospel according to St Luke, beginning at the thirty-ninth verse.

MARY arose in those days and went into the hill country, into a city of Judah, and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, she was filled with the Holy Ghost and she spake out with a loud voice and said: Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For lo! as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she that believeth; for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit has rejoiced in God my saviour. For he hath regarded the lowliness of his hand maiden; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me; and holy is his name.

Offertory Hymn 81

1. SHALL we not love thee, Mother dear,
    Whom Jesus loves so well;
   And in His temple, year by year,
    Thy joy and glory tell?
2. For thee He chose from whom to take
    True flesh His Flesh to be;
   In It to suffer for our sake,
    By It to make us free.
3. Thy Babe He lay upon thy breast,
    To thee He cried for food;
   Thy gentle nursing soothed to rest
    Th’Incarnate Son of God.
4. O wondrous depth of grace divine
    That He should bend so low!
   And, Mary, O what joy was thine
    In His dear love to know;
5. Joy to be Mother of the Lord,
    And thine the truer bliss,
   In every thought, and deed, and word
    To be for ever His.
6. And as He loves thee, Mother dear,
    We, too, will love thee well;
   And in His temple, year by year,
    Thy joy and glory tell. Amen.

Recessional Hymn 13

1. BLEST are the pure in heart,
    For they shall see our God;
   The secret of the Lord is theirs,
    Their soul is Christ’s abode.
2. The Lord, Who left the heavens
    Our life and peace to bring.
   To dwell in lowliness with men,
    Their Pattern and their King;
3. His Mother sweet He chose
    From Israel’s daughters fair
   For crystal purity of heart—
    O gift of gifts most rare!
4. Still to the lowly soul
    He doth Himself impart,
   And for His dwelling and His Throne
    Chooseth the pure in heart.
5. Lord, we Thy Presence seek;
    May ours this blessing be;
   Give us a pure and lowly heart,
    A temple meet for Thee.
6. For holy Mary’s grace.
    Her wondrous glowing love.
   We thank Thee as a pattern set
    To lift our thoughts above. Amen.