The Ferial Office During Christmastide

In the 1962 Breviarium S.O.P., the ferial days of Christmastide (January 2-5) contained no feast days of saints or blesseds, so the ferial day was prayed on each of those days, unless one of them fell on Sunday.  The liturgical rank of these ferial days was IV Class.  Of course, in previous editions of the Breiary, January 2 was the feast of Blessed Stephana Quinzani and January 3 was the feast of St. (then blessed) Zedislavae Berkianae.  On my calendar, I follow Fr. Augustine Thompson rule of including the Dominican saints who were merely blessed in the older calendar.  

So I add St. Zedislavae back into the calendar, even though she was removed in the 1962 revision.

The Christmastide ferial office is is prayed as follows:

Preces and genuflections are omitted.  Except at Compline, antiphons and psalms at all hours and the versicle of the Nocturn are taken from the current weekday as in the Psalter.The Collect prayer, which is said on all days, is:O God, who, through the fruitful virginity of the blessed Mary, offered to all men the reward of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech you, that we may experience her intercession through whom we were found worthy to receive among us the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, you Son, who lives and reigns with you. Matins

Inv.  To us the Christ has been born; * come, let us adore.

Hymn:  O Christ, the Father's only son…(Christe, Redemptor omnium…)The lessons are from current scripture with their own responsories.  Te Deum is not said.

Lauds Before Lauds ℣.  To us a child is born.  ℟.  To us a son is given. Psalms and antiphons are from the current weekday as in the Psalter. Little Chapter (Hebr. 1):  In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son whom he has appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Hymn:  From land that sun's arising sees… (A solis ortus cardine…) ℣.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  ℟.  The Lord God is our light. Bened. ant.  Today a wonderful mystery is revealed; the whole course of events is altered.  God became man; that which he was, he remained, and what he was not, he assumed, without undergoing mingling or lessening. At Pretiosa, the Rule is read.  At the Hours, the psalms are ferial with antiphons from Advent Season as in the Psalter. Prime ℟. Jesus Christ.  ℣.  Who was born of the Virgin Mary. Terce Little Chapter (Hebr. 1):   In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son whom he has appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. ℟.  The Word became flesh, * alleluia, alleluia. – The Word.  ℣.  And dwelt among us. – Alleluia. – Glory.  The Word. ℣.  The Lord has made known.  ℟.  His saving help. Sext Little Chapter (Titus 3):  But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy. ℟.  The Lord has made known, * alleluia, alleluia. – The Lord.  ℣.  His saving help. – Alleluia. – Glory.  The Lord has made known. ℣.  He will say to me.  ℟.  You are my father. None Little Chapter (Titus 2):  For the grace of God has appeared for teh salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright and godly lives in this world. ℟.  He will say to me, * alleluia, alleluia. – He will.  ℣.  You are my father. – Alleluia. – Glory.  He will. ℣.  Blessed is he who comes in teh name of the Lord.  ℟.  The Lord God is our light. Vespers Little Chapter (Hebr. 1):   In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son whom he has appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Hymn:  O come, Redeemer of the earth…(Veni, Redemptor, gentium…) ℣.  Like a bridegroom.  ℟.  The Lord comes from his dwelling place. Magnif. ant.  Great is the mystery of the inheritance.  The virginal womb became the temple of God.  He was not defiled by taking flesh from her.  All nations shall come and say, "Glory to you, Lord." Compline Nunc dimittis ant.  Alleluia, the Word became flesh, alleluia; and dwelt among us, alleluia, alleluia. Psalms are from Sunday. Ant. to psalms.  To us is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.