Irmos: Let us chant unto the Lord Who by His divine command dried up the impassable and turbulent sea, and guided the people of Israel across it on foot, for gloriously hath He been glorified!
Kontakion of the forefeast, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Today the Virgin…”—
Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
Ineffable is the condescension of the Word of God; for Christ is Himself known as the God-man. Reckoned as God not by being caught up to heaven, He showeth Himself to us all in the guise of a servant; for gloriously hath He been glorified.
Christ cometh voluntarily to serve: the Creator now receiveth the image of impoverished Adam, enriching him with divinity, and granting him a strange restoration and regeneration, in that He is compassionate.
Lord, have mercy! Thrice. Glory…, Now & ever…—
Today the Virgin cometh ineffably to give birth in the cave to the preëternal Word. Dance, O world! And having heard this, with the angels and shepherds glorify the preëternal God, Who is to appear as a little babe.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.