AT VESPERS

Lord, I have cried, **we insert 6 Stichera, and sing Prosomia of the Forefeast.**

Tone 6.

The unsetting Sun hastens to emerge from virgin loins to enlighten everything under heaven. Let us hurry to meet him with clear eyes and pure actions; and let us now be prepared to receive in spirit the one who comes to his own by a strange birth, as he was well pleased; that, as he is compassionate, by being brought to birth in Bethlehem, he may bring us back who have been estranged from the life in Eden.

God the Word, who rides on the backs of the Cherubim, united hypostatically to flesh, has dwelt in an unblemished womb, become a mortal and is coming to the land of Juda to be brought to birth. Holy Cave, be made ready as a majestic palace for the universal King; and you, Manger, as a throne formed of fire, on which the Virgin Mary lays as a babe the Infinite for the restoration of what he fashioned.

The Virgin lays you in a manger of dumb beasts, O Word of God without beginning, who beyond understanding have accepted a beginning; for you are coming to dispel my unreason, to which I submitted by the envy of the serpent; while you will be wrapped in swaddling bands that you may tear apart the bands and cords of my offences, O alone Good and lover of humankind; therefore I glorify you, I praise and worship with great joy your coming in the flesh, through which I have been freed.

**Forefeast.

Tone 6. By Vyzas.**

Virgin without bridegroom, whence have you come? Who begot you? And who is your mother? How do you bear the Creator in your arms? How was your womb not corrupted? We see great marvels come to pass on earth, O All-holy, and we make ready in advance that which fits your need, the Cave from the earth; and we ask heaven to provide the Star; and Magi are advancing from the eastern regions of the earth towards the West, to look on the salvation of mortals being suckled as a babe.