All Divine Liturgies in the Orthodox Church are preceded by the chanting of the Hours services, consisting of Psalms, hymns and prayers. But in the Great Cathedral of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, the Byzantine Emperor was present each year at the service beginning the celebration of the Holy Nativity of Christ. Therefore, the Hours preceding the Vespers and Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great on Christmas Eve are given the name "Royal Hours."

That life is hard is not the exception but the rule. Only the twentieth century has brought the simpleminded dream that life should be easy and leisurely, which it never has been throughout history. "In the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread," the Lord tells Adam (Genesis 3:19), and that is the law of human life. But afflictions and difficulties and limitations are easier to bear when we have warmth in us and among us. For in the day of His Second Coming, the Lord will not ask what kind of times we lived in, but how we related to our neighbor. Was he our "hell" or our "heaven?" We ourselves build either heaven or hell in our own hearts out of the momentary heart is able to transform any situation, even to make a cave in Bethlehem the most beautiful palace and birthplace of the King of kings.

"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (St. John 6:68).

Persons and events come and go with the relentless march of time. That which today seems important and crucial may be completely forgotten tomorrow. Persons regarded by their contemporaries as influential and powerful are forgotten as if they never existed.

Christmas Eve Matins

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn

As she carried in her womb what she conceived without seed, Mary went to Bethlehem with elder Joseph to enroll, for they were of the house and lineage of David. The time arrived for her to give birth to her Child; but then there was no place in the inn for them. Therefore the grotto served as a luxurious royal palace for the Queen. And Christ the Lord is born to raise the image which was formerly fallen.

Saint Joseph was of royal lineage, a descendant of David and Solomon, the grandson of Matthan and great-grandson of Eleazar. Joseph was the son of Jacob after the flesh, and of Heli according to the law of the levirate.

Wherefore, it is written: "They fell down and worshiped Him, and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts", fulfilling the commandment: "None shall appear before Me empty" (Ex. Ch. 23). And what were their gifts? Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They brought gold as befitting a king, frankincense for Him that is God, and myrrh to One Who would taste death, for the Jews used myrrh, which masks the foul odor, in preparing corpses for burial (Saint Theophylact). Thus did the three kings honor one of the Trinity with gifts, indicating thereby that He is one in two natures as Saint Leo says: "They brought frankincense to God, myrrh to Him Who is a man and would undergo death, and gold to the King, rightly honoring the Divine and human natures in a single hypostasis. Offering gifts, they showed their devotion to Him in Whom they believed with their hearts."