Irmos: Let us all chant a hymn of victory unto God, Who hath wrought marvellous wonders with His upraised arm and saved Israel, for He is glorious.
Theotokion: Eden is opened to Thee Who in the flesh wast born in Bethlehem of the divine Virgin Maiden, O Master. We hymn Thine awesome dispensation.
Canon of the forefeast, the acrostic whereof is: “Chanted are these hymns of the forefeast”, the composition of Joseph, in Tone I—
Let us begin today to celebrate the forefeast of the nativity of Christ Who was born in the flesh of the Virgin Mother in the cave of Bethlehem in His surpassing loving-kindness.
The preëternal God, Who is seen as a babe, is wrapped in swaddling bands and laid in a manger, releasing me from the bonds of sin. Glory to His might!
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.