Afterfeast of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Commemorated on December 30.

On December 30, the Afterfeast of the Nativity, let us offer thanks to Christ our God, Who is born of a Virgin for our salvation.

As the days begin to grow longer, we recall that the Lord is also called the Sun of Righteousness, and enlightens those who were in darkness. At this season of the year the daylight increases, and we remember the words of Saint John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

Troparion

Your Nativity, O Christ our God,
has shone to the world the Light of knowledge;
for by it, those who worshipped the stars
were taught by a star to adore You,
the Sun of Righteousness,
1
and to know You, the Dayspring
2
from on High.
O Lord, glory to You!

Kontakion

(Original Melody)
Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One,
and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One!
Angels with shepherds glorify Him.
The wise men journey with a star,
since for our sake the Pre-Eternal God was born as a young Child.
3
1
Malachi 4:2.
2
The beginning of day, dawn.
3
Literally: Since for our sake, God before the ages was born as a young Child.