Byzantine Hymns and Readings for the Nativity

Praying for each of you a joyous celebration of our Lord's Nativity and the glorious season of His Birth, here are the proper hymns and readings for Christmas according to the Melkite calendar.

Happy Christmas!

TROPARIA AND KONTAKION
(HYMNS OF THE DAY AND SEASONAL HYMN)

TROPARION OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD IN TONE FOUR

You Nativity, O Christ our God, has shed the light of knowledge upon the world. Through it, those who had been star-worshipers, learned through a star to worship You, O Sun of Justice, and to recognize in You the One who rises and who comes from on high. O Lord, glory to You!

HYPACOE OF THE NATIVITY IN TONE EIGHT

O Little Child lying in a manger, by means of a star, heaven has called and led to You Magi, the first-fruits of the Gentiles, astounded to behold, not scepters and thrones, but extreme poverty. What, indeed, is lower than a cave? What is humbler than swaddling clothes — and yet the splendor of your divinity shone forth in them resplendently. O Lord, glory to You!

KONTAKION OF THE NATIVITY IN TONE THREE

Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent in Essence, and the earth presents a cave to the Inaccessible. The angels with the shepherds sing His glory, and the Wise men with the Star travel on their way, for to us is born a New Child, who is God from all eternity.

REPLACING THE TRICE-HOLY HYMN
("HOLY GOD...")

As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia

LITURGY OF THE WORD

PROKIMENON
(RESPONSORY FROM THE PSALTER)

Chanter: All those on earth worship You and sing to You. (All repeat)

Chanter: Sing Alleluia to God, O all the earth.

All: All those on earth worship You and sing to You.

Chanter: All those on earth worship You.

All: And sing to You.

THE READING FROM THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE GALATIANS

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 through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir.

ALLELUIA

I will tell of the decree of the LORD:
He said to Me, "You are my Son, today I have begotten You.

Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your heritage,
and the ends of the earth Your possession.

THE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL
ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW

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 worshiped 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 OF THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
HEIRMOS OF THE NATIVITY IN TONE ONE

O my soul, magnify the One who is more honorable and glorious than the heavenly powers! Behold a mystery, a strange and wonderful mystery: the cave has become heaven, the Virgin a throne of the Cherubim, and the manger a noble place where Christ our God reposes. Wherefore, let us praise and Exalt Him!

COMMUNION HYMN

The Lord has sent redemption to His people:
He has established His covenant forever. Alleluia.

INSTEAD OF "WE HAVE SEEN THE TRUE LIGHT"
THE TROPARION OF THE FEAST IN TONE FOUR

You Nativity, O Christ our God, has shed the light of knowledge upon the world. Through it, those who had been star-worshipers, learned through a star to worship You, O Sun of Justice, and to recognize in You the One who rises and who comes from on high. O Lord, glory to You!