Variable Portions of The Hours and Typika
25 December 2009
The Nativity in the Flesh of our Lord, and God, and Savior Jesus Christ
Troparion for pages 5, 8, & 11
Troparion Thy Nativity, O Christ our God,
Feast Has shone to the world the light of wisdom.
(Tone 4) For by it, those who worshipped the stars
Were taught by a star to adore Thee,
The Sun of Righteousness,
And to know Thee, the Orient from on high.
O Lord, glory to Thee!
Kontakion for pages 6, 9 & 15
Kontakion Today the virgin gives birth to the transcendent One,
Feast And the earth offers a cave to the unapproachable One.
(Tone 3) Angels and shepherds glorify Him!
The wise men journey with the star,
since for our sake the eternal God was born as a little child!
Instead of the Trisagion on page 11:
As many as have been baptized into Christ,
have put on Christ. Alleluia. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Have put on Christ. Alleluia!
As many as have been baptized into Christ,
have put on Christ. Alleluia!
Prokeimenon
(Tone 8) Let all the earth worship Thee and praise Thee!
Let it praise Thy Name, O Most High!
Scripture Readings
Galatians 4:4-7 Matthew 2:1-12
Instead of the Hymn to the Theotokos on page 16:
(Tone 6) Magnify, O my soul,
the most pure Virgin Theotokos, more honorable
and more glorious than the heavenly hosts!
I behold a strange, most glorious mystery!
Heaven - the cave! The cherubimic throne - the virgin!
The manger - the place where Christ lay,
The uncontainable God, whom we magnify in song!
Epistle
Reader: The Prokeimenon in the 8th Tone: Let all the earth worship Thee and praise Thee! Let it praise Thy Name, O Most High!
People: Let all the earth worship Thee and praise Thee! Let it praise Thy Name, O Most High!
Reader: Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth! Sing His name! Give glory to His praise!
People: Let all the earth worship Thee and praise Thee! Let it praise Thy Name, O Most High!
Reader: Let all the earth worship Thee and praise Thee!
People: Let it praise Thy Name, O Most High!
Reader: The Reading is from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Galatians.
(Galatians 4:4-7)
Brethren! When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
People: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Reader: The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament prepares His handiwork.
People: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Reader: Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
People: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Gospel
(page 12)
If you are a tonsured Sub-deacon, Reader or Cantor,
chant the Gospel from the center of the chapel
facing the altar according to custom.
If you are not of such rank, do not chant or intone the Gospel
but read it in a normal speaking-voice at your place in the following manner:
Reader: The Reading is from the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, Chapter 2, Verse 1 to 12.
(Matthew 2:1-12)
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East, and have come to worship Him." When Herod the king heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel." Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also." When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over the place where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come to the house, they saw the young Child, with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another way.
This content has been generously provided by Fr. Jerome Cwiklinski, CAPT, CHC, USN