DECEMBER 25, 2020 –
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD,
GOD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST IN THE FLESH
Hymns and Readings for the Feast
Refrain of the Second Antiphon – O Son of God, born of a Virgin, save us who sing unto Thee. Alleluia.
During the Little Entrance - Apolytikion of the Nativity of Christ – Tone 4
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.
Entrance Hymn – Out of the womb, before the morning star, have I begotten thee: The Lord hath sworn and will not repent: thou art a priest forever, after the Order of Melchizedech. O Son of God, who wast born of a Virgin, save us who sing unto Thee. Alleluia.
Apolytikion of the Nativity of Christ – Tone 4
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.
Apolytikion of the Nativity of the Theotokos – Tone 4
Thy nativity, O Theotokos, hath proclaimed joy to the whole universe. For from thee did shine forth the Sun of justice, Christ our God, annulling the curse, and bestowing the blessing, abolishing death and granting us life everlasting.
Kontakion of the Nativity of Christ – Tone 3
Today the Virgin giveth birth to the Transcendent in essence; the earth offereth the cave to the unapproachable One; the angels with the shepherds glorify him; and the Magi with the star travel on their way; for a new child hath been born for our sakes, God before the ages.
Instead of the Trisagion Hymn (“Holy God…”), “As many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia!”
Epistle – Galatians 4:4-7 (Nativity of Christ)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 65.4, 1. Let all the earth worship and sing to you.
Verse. Shout with joy to God, all the earth.
BRETHREN, when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir of God through Christ.
Gospel – Matthew 2:1-12 (Nativity of Christ)
WHEN 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 this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.’”
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Megalynarion – Tone 1 - 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.
Instead of “We have seen the true light…” the Apolytikion of the Nativity in Tone 4.
DECEMBER 25, 2020 – THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD, GOD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST IN THE FLESH
CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!
From Christmas Day until January 4, inclusive, there is a general dispensation from all fasting.
TODAY, DECEMBER 25 - We pray for the repose of the souls of all of our departed loved ones in Christ. Memory eternal!
Maire and Tony Alfeck of Mideast Bakery have donated today’s Holy Bread of Oblation for the health of their family. Many years!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Anna Athineos, Albert Castley (FL), Nadim Dahdouh, Alissar Dalloul, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, Dr. Jean, Drew, Giselle and Sean McCrossan, Alfred Nahas, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Sam Zamaria (MD), Richard Zogob, and Rose Zrake (at home).
CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS – We acknowledge the Christmas offerings of Rose Abdallah, Albert Absey, Sandra Arida, Joan Bacon, Michelle Braca, Marie and Charles Bryant, Claudete Budai, Rhonda Byrnes, Sandra and Robert Coogan, Gloria Darzi, Barbara Deeb, Janice Deeb, Fr. Michael and Laila Ellias, Marie Ellias, Jessica and Matthew Ellias, Anita and John Eyd, Deacon Farid and Aline Farkouh, Diana Finger, Josette and John Generale, Tamara and Giorgi Guguberidze, Louise and Philip Hamwi, Marianne Hindelly, Krassimira Ivanchev, George Khoury, Victor Khoury, Nicole and George Khouzami, Renee and Wayne Landry, Paul and Lily Lang, Anne and Sabry Mackoul, Carol Makhoul, Corrine and Michael Mallia, Linda Mantia, Denise McBride, Dr. George and Kathryn Nassour, Tony Nehme, Dorothy Orrill, David Paris, Dr. Amer and Chaza Rafiaa, Marian Russo, Karen Sadaka, Theodore Sadaka, Audrey and Charles Sahadi, Louise Sahadi, Robert Sahadi, Kerry and Ron Sahadi, Linda and George Salamy, Roland Salloum, Wanda Salloum, Victor Samaha, Brenda Samman, Peter Schneirla, Eve Schornstein, Barbara and Dennis Shawah, Anna and Peter Sofides, Gary Speer, Karen and Matthew Spolar, Hiam Sukkarieh, Karen and Tony Tadross, Irene Tashji, Marianne Trabulssi, Miriam Zahka, Dr. Sam and Diane Zamaria, Anna Zarr, and Malakie and Richard Zogob.
FEAST OF EPHIPHANY – We will celebrate an Evening Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, January 5 at 6:00 PM. If Metropolitan JOSEPH comes this year, it will be on Sunday, January 10. Whether His Eminence comes or not, in either case we will bless the waters on that day. We will provide instructions on the blessing of homes in next week’s bulletin.
CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!
A PARISH OF THE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF NORTH AMERICA