Nativity of Our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ

Life

But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His only-begotten Son (Gal. 4:4), to save the human race. And when nine months were fulfilled from the Annunciation, which the Archangel Gabriel announced to the Most Holy Virgin in Nazareth, saying: Rejoice, thou that art highly favored...behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name Jesus (Luke 1:28 and 31). At that time there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. According to this decree each one had to go to his own city and there be enrolled. Therefore righteous Joseph came with the Most Holy Virgin to Bethlehem, the city of David, for both were of the royal lineage of David. And since much people had gathered in that small city for the enrollment, Joseph and Mary could not find lodging in any house, because of which they took shelter in a certain cave for sheep, where shepherds enclosed their sheep. In that cave, and in the night between Saturday and Sunday, December 25, the Most Holy Virgin gave birth to the Savior of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ. And having given birth to Him without pain, just as she had conceived Him without sin, by the Holy Spirit and not by man, she herself swaddled Him in linen cloths, bowed down to Him as to God and laid Him in a manger. Then righteous Joseph also approached and bowed down to Him as the divine fruit of the virginal womb. Then came also shepherds from the field, directed by God's angel, and they bowed down to Him as Messiah and Savior. And the shepherds heard a multitude of God's angels singing: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:14). At that time arrived also three wise men from the East, led by a miraculous star, with their gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh, and they bowed down to Him as King over kings, and presented Him with their gifts (Matt. 2). Thus came into the world He whose coming was foretold by the prophets, He was born as it was foretold: of the Most Pure Virgin, in the city of Bethlehem, of the lineage of David according to the flesh, at a time when there was no longer in Jerusalem a king from the tribe of Judah, but Herod the foreigner reigned. After His many prefigurations and foreshadowings, envoys and heralds, prophets and righteous ones, wise men and kings, at last He appeared, the Lord of the world and King over kings, to accomplish the work of human salvation which His servants could not accomplish. To Him be eternal glory and praise. Amen.

From the Hymn of Praise

From burning love Thou didst descend from heaven,From eternal beauty into the ugliness of suffering,From eternal light into malicious darkness, thick,To those drowning in sin Thou stretchest holy hands.