The Nativity in the Flesh of Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Antiphon 1

I will confess You, Lord, with all my heart,* I will declare all Your wondrous deeds.

Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.

In the council of the just and the congregation,* great are the works of the Lord, conforming to His will in every way.

Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.

His work is filled with praise and majesty,* and His righteousness endures forever.

Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.

Glory… Now… Only-Begotten Son…

Antiphon 3

The Lord said to my lord, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.”

Troparion, Tone 4: Your Nativity, O Christ our God,* made the light of knowledge dawn on the world:* through it, those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star* to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness,* and to know You, the Dawn from on the high.* Glory to You, O Lord.

The Lord will send you a sceptre of power out of Sion; reign in the midst of your enemies.

Troparion, Tone 4: Your Nativity, O Christ our God,* made the light of knowledge dawn on the world:* through it, those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star* to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness,* and to know You, the Dawn from on the high.* Glory to You, O Lord.

Yours is the dominion on the day you are given power in the splendour of your holy ones.

Troparion, Tone 4: Your Nativity, O Christ our God,* made the light of knowledge dawn on the world:* through it, those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star* to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness,* and to know You, the Dawn from on the high.* Glory to You, O Lord.

Entrance

From the womb before the daystar I begot you. the Lord has sworn an oath and will not go back on His word: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 4: Your Nativity, O Christ our God,* made the light of knowledge dawn on the world:* through it, those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star* to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness,* and to know You, the Dawn from on the high.* Glory to You, O Lord.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 3: The Virgin today gives birth to Him who is above all being;* the earth offers the cave to Him whom no one can approach;* Angel with shepherds give Him glory,* while Magi make their way with a star,* for to us is born a little Child – the pre-eternal God.

Instead of Holy God:

All you who have been baptized into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia!

All you who have been baptized into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia!

All you who have been baptized into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

You have put on Christ! Alleluia!

All you who have been baptized into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia!

Prokeimenon, Tone 8

Let all the earth worship You and sing to You; let it sing to Your Name, O Most High.

verse: Shout to the Lord, all the earth, sing now to His name, give glory to His praise. (Psalm 65:4,2)

Epistle

Galatians 4:4-7

Brothers and Sisters, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

Alleluia, Tone 1

verse: The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hands.

verse: Day announces its message unto day and night proclaims its knowledge unto night. (Psalm 18:2,3)

Gospel

Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Hymn to the Theotokos

O my soul, magnify Christ the King born in a manger.

and the Irmos: A strange and glorious mystery do I behold:* the cave is heaven;* the Virgin, the throne of the cherubim;* the manger, a dwelling place* in which is laid Christ, the God Whom nothing can contain.* Singing His praises, we magnify Him.

Communion Hymn

The Lord has sent deliverance* to His people.* Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. (Psalm 110:9)

Instead of “Blessed is He who comes…” we sing:

All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is born of a Virgin.

Instead of “We have seen the true light…” we sing:

All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is born of a Virgin.

Instead of “May our mouths…” and “Blessed be the Name…” we sing:

All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is born of a Virgin. (3)