INTROIT
Wis 18:14-15
When a profound stillness compassed everything and the night in its swift course was half spent, Your all-powerful Word, O Lord, bounded from heaven’s royal throne.
Ps 92:1
The Lord is King, in splendor robed; robed is the Lord and girt about with strength.
Glory Be to the Father…
When a profound stillness compassed everything and the night in its swift course was half spent, Your all-powerful Word, O Lord, bounded from heaven’s royal throne.
COLLECT
O Almighty and eternal God, direct our actions in conformity with Your will, that in the name of Your beloved Son we may be worthy to do good works in abundance.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father…
COMMEMORATION COLLECT
For Octave of Nativity
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the new birth, in the flesh, of Your only-begotten Son may deliver us whom the bondage of old keeps under the yoke of sin.
Through the same Christ our Lord…
EPISTLE
Lesson from the letter of St. Paul the Apostle to the Galatians
Gal 4:1-7
Brethren: As long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the master of all; but he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by his father. So we too, when we were children, were enslaved under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. So that He is no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, an heir also through God.
GRADUAL
Ps 44:3, 2
Fairer in beauty are You than the sons of men; grace is poured out upon Your lips.
℣. My heart overflows with a goodly theme; as I sing my ode to the King, my tongue is nimble as the pen of a skillful scribe. Alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 92:1
℣. The Lord is King, in splendor robed; robed is the Lord and girt about with strength. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 2:33-40
At that time, Joseph and Mary, the mother of Jesus were marvelling at the things spoken concerning Him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be contradicted. And your own soul a sword shall pierce, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. There was also Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her maidenhood, and by herself as a widow to eighty-four years. She never left the temple, with fastings and prayers worshipping night and day. And coming up at that very hour, she began to give praise to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had fulfilled all things as prescribed in the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, into their own town of Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong. He was full of wisdom and the grace of God was upon Him.
OFFERTORY
Ps 92:1-2
God has made the world firm, not to be moved. Your throne, O God, stands firm from of old; from everlasting You are.
SECRET
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the gift offered in the sight of Your majesty may obtain for us the grace of reverent devotion and secure us eternal happiness.
Through our Lord…
COMMEMORATION SECRET
For Octave of Nativity
Make holy the sacrificial gifts we offer, O Lord, and by the new birth of Your only-begotten Son cleanse us from the stains of our sins.
Through the same Christ our Lord…
PREFACE
Nativity
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, for through the Mystery of the Word made flesh, the new light of Thy glory hath shone upon the eyes of our mind, so that while we acknowledge God in visible form, we may through Him be drawn to the love of things invisible. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Throne and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:
COMMUNION
Matt 2:20
Take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.
POSTCOMMUNION
By the working of this sacrament, O Lord, may our sins be erased and our just desires fulfilled.
Through our Lord…
COMMEMORATION POSTCOMMUNION
For Octave of Nativity
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the Saviour of the world, born this day, Who is the author of our birth in godliness, may bestow on us immortal life.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father…