Hebrews 1:1–12

Alleluia, tone 5

Verse: The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit on My right hand until I make Thy enemies Thy footstool."

Verse: The Lord will send you a rod of power from Zion, and rule among your enemies.

Verse: "From the womb before the morning star I gave birth to Thee," the Lord swore, and He will not repent. Ps 109:1, 2, 3b

The Gospel of Luke, conceived 5

In those days, a decree was issued from Caesar Augustus to take a census of the entire universe. This census was the first Syria during the reign of Quirinius. And everyone went to sign up, each in his own city. And Joseph also went from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to register with Miriam, his betrothed wife, who was pregnant. And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled when she was to give birth. And she gave birth to her son, the firstborn, 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 shepherds in that country, who were in the field, keeping watch at night with their flock. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone upon them, and they were terrified with great fear. And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid! For behold, I preach to you great joy, which shall be unto all the people: that a Saviour is born unto you this day in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord. And this is a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and exclaiming: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men!" And they came in haste, and found Miriam, and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they told about the word he had spoken about this Child. And all who heard were amazed at what the shepherds had said to him. And Miriam kept all these words, composing them in Her heart. And the shepherds returned, praising and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, as it had been said to them.

Luke 2:1–20

Instead of "Worthy"

In Thee, O Blessed One, all creation rejoices: / The angelic host and the human race. / Thou art the sanctified temple and spiritual paradise, / the glory of virginity, from Whom God was incarnate and became a Child / our God who existed before all ages. / For He hath made Thy bowels enthroned, / And hath made Thy womb more extensive than the heavens. / In Thee, O Blessed One, all creation rejoices, / Glory to Thee!

Involved

Praise the Lord from heaven, praise Him in the highest. Alleluia. (3) Ps 148:1

After the dismissal of the Liturgy, the paraecclesiarch lights a portable candle and places it in the middle of the church, while the clergy and both choirs together sing the troparion of the feast, Glory, and now: the kontakion, and many years.

The All-Night Vigil begins with Great Compline, with the singing of "God is with us," and instead of the usual troparion "Enlighten my eyes," the troparion of the feast. Instead of: "Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us:" the kontakion of the feast. After the Great Doxology, a litiya is performed.