CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!
CELEBRATING THE HOLY NATIVITY OF THE CHRIST THROUGH CHRISTIAN WORSHIP AND THROUGH THE HYMNS OF THE CHURCH
From Hours of the Nativity
Today is born of the Virgin Him Who holdest all creation in the hollow of His hand. He Whose essence is untouchable is wrapped in swaddling clothes as a babe. The God Who from of old established the heavens lieth in a manger. He Who showered the people with manna in the wilderness feedeth on milk from the breasts. And the Bridegroom of the Church calleth the Magi. And the Son of the Virgin accepteth gifts from them. We worship Thy Nativity O Christ.
+
From Christmas Eve
What shall we render to Thee, O Christ, for that Thou didst appear on earth as a man for our sake? Verily, every individual of the creatures Thou create shall offer Thee thanksgiving. The Angels shall tender Thee praise; the heavens, the Star; the Magi, gifts; the shepherds, wonder; the earth, the cave; the wilderness, the manger; and we men, a virgin Mother. Wherefore, O God
before the ages, have mercy upon us.
+
Today all the Angels exchange glad tidings and rejoice; and the entire creation exulteth for the Birth of the Lord Savior in Bethlehem; for the error of the idols hath passed out completely, and Christ shall reign forever.
+
TROPARION
Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath given rise to the light of knowledge in the world; for they that worshipped the stars did learn therefrom to worship Thee, O Sun of justice, and to know that from the east of the Highest Thou didst come O Lord, glory to Thee.
+
Katavasias of the Nativity
Christ is born, glorify Him. Christ hath come from the heavens, receive Him. Christ is on earth, elevate Him. Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; and ye nations, praise Him with joy; for He hath been glorified.
+
Ninth Ode
Magnify, O my soul, her who is more honorable and more exalted in glory than the heavenly hosts. I behold a strange and wonderful mystery: the cave a heaven, the Virgin a cherubic throne, and the manger a noble place in which hath lain Christ the uncontained God. Let us, therefore, praise and magnify Him.
+
Today hath been fulfilled a strange mystery; for nature hath been renewed and God hath become man. Yea, He hath remained as He has been, taking unto Himself what had not been, nor was He affected by any confusion or division.
Today the invisible Nature doth unite with mankind from the Virgin. Today the boundless Essence is wrapped in swaddling clothes in Bethlehem. Today God doth guide the Magi by the Star to worship, indicating beforehand His three-day Burial by the offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Wherefore, we sing to him saying, O Christ God, Who was incarnate of the Virgin, save our souls. (Orthros or Matins)
Vespers
How shall I describe this great mystery? For the Incorporeal hath become Incarnate; the Logos/Word took unto Himself the density of the flesh. The Unseen is seen, the Untouchable is touched, the Beginningless beginneth, and the Son of God becometh the Son of Man; yes, Jesus Christ Himself Who is the same yesterday, today and unto all ages. (ource: Divine Prayers and Services)
______________________
CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!
______________________
"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos
+++
With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George