Leave-taking of the Nativity of Christ.

VESPERS

Kathisma Reading

The appointed psalms are chanted.

At Psalm 140

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Come, let us rejoice in the Lord* as we tell of the present mystery.* Destroyed is the middle wall of partition;* the flaming sword turns back, the cherubim withdraw from the tree of life,* and I partake of the delight of Paradise from which I was cast out through disobedience.* For the Father’s express Image, the Imprint of His eternity,* takes the form of a servant,* and without undergoing change He comes forth from a Mother who knew not wedlock.* For what He was, He has remained, true God:* and what He was not, He has taken upon Himself, becoming man through love for mankind.* To Him let us cry aloud:* God born of a Virgin, have mercy on us.

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Come, let us rejoice in the Lord* as we tell of the present mystery.* Destroyed is the middle wall of partition;* the flaming sword turns back, the cherubim withdraw from the tree of life,* and I partake of the delight of Paradise from which I was cast out through disobedience.* For the Father’s express Image, the Imprint of His eternity,* takes the form of a servant,* and without undergoing change He comes forth from a Mother who knew not wedlock.* For what He was, He has remained, true God:* and what He was not, He has taken upon Himself, becoming man through love for mankind.* To Him let us cry aloud:* God born of a Virgin, have mercy on us.

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

When Jesus the Lord was born of the holy Virgin,* the whole world was enlightened.* The shepherds watched in the fields,* the Magi adored and the angels sang hymns of praise;* but Herod was troubled: for God appeared in the flesh,* the Saviour of our souls.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

When Jesus the Lord was born of the holy Virgin,* the whole world was enlightened.* The shepherds watched in the fields,* the Magi adored and the angels sang hymns of praise;* but Herod was troubled: for God appeared in the flesh,* the Saviour of our souls.

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

Your Kingdom, O Christ our God,* is a Kingdom of all the ages,* and Your rule is from generation to generation.* Made flesh of the Holy Spirit and made man of the ever-Virgin Mary,* You have enlightened us by Your coming.* Light of Light, Brightness of the Father,* You have made all creation shine with joy.* Everything that breathes praises You,* the Image of the Father’s glory.* O God – the One who is – and always was,* who shone forth from a Virgin, have mercy on us.

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

O Christ what shall we offer You;* for our sake You appeared on earth as man?* Every creature made by You offers thanks to You.* The angels offer You a hymn; the heavens, a star;* the Magi, gifts; the shepherds, their wonder;* the earth, its cave; the wilderness, the manger:* and we offer You a Virgin Mother.* O pre-eternal God, have mercy on us.

Glory…Now…

When Augustus reigned alone on earth,* the many kingdoms of men came to an end;* and when You were made man of the pure Virgin,* the many gods of idolatry were made powerless.* The cities of the world passed under one single rule;* and the nations came to believe in one sovereign Godhead.* The peoples were enrolled by the decree of Caesar;* and we, the faithful, were enrolled in the name of the divinity,* when You, our God, were made man.* Great is Your mercy: Lord, glory to You.

Prokeimenon, Tone 1

Your mercy, O Lord, shall follow me* all the days of my life.

verse: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. In green pastures He gives me repose.

Aposticha

Tone 2

A great and marvellous wonder* has come to pass this day!* A Virgin gives birth,* yet her womb remains undefiled;* the Word takes flesh,* yet remains unseparated from the Father.* Angels and shepherds give glory,* and with them we also exclaim:* “Glory to God in the highest,* and on earth peace!”

Tone 3

The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand,* Until I make your enemies your footstool.”

Today the Virgin gives birth to the Maker of all.* Eden offers a cave.* And a star discloses Christ the Sun, to those in darkness.* Magi, enlightened with faith, bow in worship with gifts.* Shepherds behold the wonder,* and Angels sing praises, saying:* “Glory to God in the highest!”

Out of the womb before the morning-star,* have I begotten You!

When the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,* Magi from the East worshipped God made man.* They fervently opened their treasures* and offered Him precious gifts:* pure gold for the King of the ages,* frankincense for the God of all,* and myrrh for the Immortal One* as if for one three days dead.* All you nations, come, let us bow in worship* before the One who is born to save us.

Tone 4, Glory…

Make glad, O Jerusalem,* and all you who love Zion, keep the feast!* Today the ancient curse of Adam is loosed;* paradise is opened to us!* The serpent is laid low;* of old he deceived the woman in Paradise,* but now he sees a woman become Mother of the Creator* O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!* The sinful vessel that brought death upon all flesh* has through the Theotokos become the first-fruits of salvation for the whole world.* For God the All-perfect is born a Babe of her* and by His birth he sets the seal upon her Virginity,* Through His swaddling clothes He looses the bands of sin;* and through becoming a child He heals Eve’s pangs in travail,* Therefore let all creation sing and dance for joy* for Christ has come to restore it* and to save our souls!

Now…

O Christ, You dwelt in a cave.* A manger received You.* Shepherds and Magi bowed in worship.* Thus the prophetic proclamation was fulfilled,* as angelic Powers stood in awe,* voicing the news and saying:* “Glory to Your condescension,* O only Lover of mankind!”

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.

DIVINE LITURGY ON WEDNESDAY MORNING

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

Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord, let us acclaim God, our Saviour.

Son of God, born of a Virgin, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Let us come before His face with praise, and acclaim Him in psalms.

Son of God, born of a Virgin, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

For God is the great Lord, and the great king over all the earth.

Son of God, born of a Virgin, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Entrance

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ.

Son of God, born of a Virgin, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

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.

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

Hebrews 10:1-18

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

Mark 8:30-34

Hymn to the Mother of God

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)