Forefeast of Nativity / Saturday [Liturgy of
Beatitudes Verses: 4 from Ode 3 of the Forefeast; 4 from Ode 6 of the Forefeast
1 & 2. Delivering me from the bonds of evil, O Lord Who lovest mankind, Thou comest to be wrapped as a babe in swaddling-bands. I worship Thy divine condescension! 3. The Virgin cometh forth to give birth to Thee Who, though Thou hast shone forth timelessly from the Father, hast come under time, releasing our souls from immemorial passions. 4. Seeking me who have become lost through disobedience, Thou hast made the cave a dwelling-place, like unto heaven; and Thou preparest mansions for me there, O Compassionate and greatly Merciful One! 5 & 6. Christ cometh to His own in strange manner. Let us estrange ourselves from sin and receive Him Who maketh His abode in the souls of the meek.
7. In nowise shalt thou be the least among cities, O Bethlehem; for in thee is born the King and Lord, that He might shepherd His rich people.
8. How doth a lowly cave receive Thee Whom the whole world cannot contain, O Ineffable
One? How art Thou seen as an infant, O Unoriginate One Who sharest
the mind of the Father?
Troparion
Tone 4: Once Mary, being with child by a seedless conception, /
was registered in Bethlehem with the aged Joseph/
as being of the seed of David. /
The time came for the birth, and there was no room in the inn; /
but the cave proved a delightful palace for the queen. //
Christ is born to raise the image that fell of old.
The Epistle
Reader: The Prokimenon in the 8th Tone:
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, ye righteous.
Choir: Be
glad in the Lord and rejoice, ye righteous.
Reader: Blessed are they whose iniquities are
forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Choir: Be
glad in the Lord and rejoice, ye righteous.
Reader: Be glad in the Lord.
Choir: And
rejoice, ye righteous.
Reader:
The
[Gal. 3:15-22 (§207)]
Reader: Alleluia
in the 4th Tone.
Choir:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Reader: The
righteous cried, and the Lord heard them, and He delivered them out of all their
tribulations.
Choir:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Reader: Many are the tribulations of the righteous,
and the Lord shall deliver them out of them all.
Choir: Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Gospel [Matt. 13:32-36
(§53)]
Kontakion
Tone 3: Today the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth ineffably /
to the Word Who was before the ages. /
Dance, O earth, at the message! /
Give glory with the angels and shepherds /
unto Him Who was willing to be gazed upon as a young child //
and is pre-eternal God.