Forefeast of the Nativity of our Lord

Commemorated on December 23.

The Forefeast of the Nativity of the Lord begins on December 20. From now on, most of the liturgical hymns will be concerned with the birth of the Savior.

At Compline on this fourth day of the prefeast of the Nativity we sing, “Let us purify our minds, washing ourselves with the divine Mysteries; let us draw near in soul and body to Bethlehem, that we may behold the fearful dispensation of the birth of the Lord” (Ode Five of the Canon).

Troparion

Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to all!
Adorn yourself, O Ephratha, for the Tree of Life blossoms forth from the Virgin in the cave!
Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the Divine Fruit;
if we eat of it, we shall live forever and not die like Adam.
Christ is born to raise up again what fell in former times, His image.

Kontakion

(Podoben: “Today the Virgin...”)
Today the Virgin comes to the cave to give birth ineffably to the Pre-Eternal Word.
Hear the glad tidings and rejoice, O inhabited earth.
With the Angels and the shepherds,
glorify Him Who for our sake wills to appear as a young child –
God before the ages.