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Feast of the Nativity
(Christmas)

The Feast of the Nativity of our Lord according to the flesh - otherwise known as "Christmas" in the western Churches - is the celebration of the Birth of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus the Messiah, born for our Salvation in a Cave in Bethlehem of Judea and laid in a manger.

This is Christmas - nothing more and nothing less. It is a celebration and commemoration that bears no integral relation to St. Nicholas, much less any relation to "Santa Claus" - the 20th century corporate and consumerist takeover of a holy and miracle-working bishop of the Christian East. The authentic and true celebration of the feast of St. Nicholas falls on December 6th. Presents are properly exchanged on December 6th. The Feast of St. Nicholas is a day especially given to children, as the Holy Bishop had an especial care for children, especially those who were poor and suffering.

The primary service for the Feast of the Nativity is the Matins Service on Christmas eve . Here the Gospel reading of the Angels' announcement of the birth of the Christ is proclaimed.

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed... And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David); to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

On Christmas day itself, we also serve Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Nativity. Then the Gospel reading of the Magi is proclaimed.

Before the "major" services of the feast, we also serve the Royal Hours in the morning and the Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil in the afternoon.

At the Royal Hours and the Vigil Vespers, the prophesies of the Coming of the Messiah are proclaimed.

Then we return to our homes for the Holy Supper of Christmas eve (the Traditional Ukrainian festal meal 12 meatless courses). We begin the Holy Supper with the Festal Tropar and before each course is served, we sing one of the traditional Christmas Carols of our Church.

Then we return to Church for the Christmas Eve Service. We begin with the Great Compline of Christmas and continue with the Matins of the Feast of the Nativity!

At Compline the first Proclamation of the Birth of the Christ is made with the Solemn Chanting of "Z' Namy Boh!" (i.e. "God is with us" [from the Hebrew: "Immanu-El"]), the versicles from the Prophesy of Isaiah (chapter 8 ff).
God with with us, understand all you nations. And submit, for God is with us!

Give ear, all you distant parts of the earth, for God is with us!
You may arm yourselves, but you shall be crushed, for God is with us!
We do not fear what you fear, we do not stand in dread, for God is with us!
but the LORD of Hosts, honour Him as the Holy; ofr Him be your fear, for God is with us!
Trust in Him and He will be to you as a sanctuary, for God is with us!
Men who walked in darkness have seen a great light, for God is with us!
You dwellers in a land dark as death, a light shine upon you, for God is with us!
For a Child is born to us a Son is given us... and His Peace shall never end, for God is with us!

At the point of the Polyeleos, the Chanting of Psalms 134 & 135 (the Psalms of Mercy) a second Proclamation takes place with the rite of the Exaltation (the Velychannya or Megalynarion).

Here, preceded by the incensation of the deacon, the Priest bears aloft the icon of the Feast and in solemn Procession carries it from the Holy Table out of the Altar to the Ambo for the veneration of the Faithful. And the Festal Exaltation is sung:

We extol You, O Christ, the Giver of Life,
who were born in the flesh for us this day,
from her that knew no wedlock, the all-pure Virgin Mary.

The Lord has sent Salvation to his people...
Before the Dawning, like the dew, I have begotten you
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth
sing praise to his Name; give to Him glorious praise...

The Nativity Festal Tropar

Your Nativity, O Christ our God
dawns on the world the light of knowledge,
for those who serve the stars were taught by a star,
to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness,
and to know You, the Day-Star from on high,
glory to You, O Lord

The Nativity Festal Kondak

Today the Virgin gives birth to Him
who is above all being,
and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One.
Angels and shepherds give glory
Magi journey with a star.
For unto us is born a young Child,
the pre-eternal God.

During the Service, at the Litiya, bread, wine, wheat, and blessed and offered up and then distributed amongst the Faithful.
Today the Virgin gives birth to the Maker of all.
Eden offers a cave.
And a Star discloses the Messiah Sun, to those in darkness.
Magi, enlightened with faith, bow in worship with gifts.
Shepherds behold the Wonder,
and Angels sing praises, saying:
"Glory to God in the highest!"

At the Veneration of the Icon and the Gospel, the Faithful are annointed with Holy Oil and greeting with the salutation of the Nativity Feast: "Christ is Born!" to which they respond: "Glorify Him!"

The Kanon of the Nativity Feast:

Irmos 1
Christ is born, glorify Him
Christ is from heaven, receive Him
Christ is on earth, be lifted up;
sing to the Lord, all the earth,
and praise Him with joy all people
For He has been glorified

Irmos 4
Rod of the stem of Jesse
and flower that budded forth from a virgin
O most lauded Christ
From the mountain covered with darkness Thou art come
made flesh from her that knew no wedlock
O God who are not formed from matter
Glory to Thy might, O Lord.

Irmos 5
O God of peace and Father of mercies
Thou has sent to us the Angel of Great Counsel
who grants us peace.
So we are guided to the light of the knowledge of God
waking early from the night
we praise Thee, O Lover of man.

The Ikos:
Bethlehem has opened Eden: come and see.
We have found joy in secret: come and let us take possession of the paradise that is within the cave.
There the unwatered Root has appeared from which forgiveness flowers forth there is found the undug well
whence David longed to drink of old. There the Virgin has borne a Babe and made the thirst of Adam and David to cease straightway. Therefore let us hasten to this place where now is born a young Child, the pre-eternal God.

Irmos 9
I behold a strange, most glorious mystery:
Heaven - the cave:
The Cherubic Throne - the Virgin.
The manger - the place where Christ lay
the uncontainable God whom we magnify in song.

Hymns of Christmas Matins

Ukrainian version
Українська версія

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