At the aposticha, these stichera idiomela—

A great and most glorious wonder is wrought today: A Virgin giveth birth, yet her womb suffereth no corruption! The Word is incarnate, yet is not separated from the Father! Angels give glory in company with shepherds; and with them we cry out: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!

Stichos: From the womb before the morning-star have I begotten Thee. The Lord hath sworn and will not repent.

In Tone III: Today the Virgin giveth birth to the Creator of all. Eden offereth a cave, and the star showeth forth Christ the Sun to those in darkness. The magi, illumined by faith, have offered homage with gifts, and the shepherds have beheld a wonder as the angels chant and say: Glory to God in the highest!

Stichos: The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit Thou at My right hand.

The composition of Anatolius— When the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa, magi, arriving from the East, worshipped the God Who had become man, and eagerly disclosing their treasures, they offered Him precious gifts: pure gold, as to the King of the ages; frankincense, as to the God of all; and myrrh to Him Who is immortal, as to one three days dead. Come, all ye nations, let us worship Him Who hath been born, that He may save our souls!

Glory…, the composition of John the Monk, in Tone IV—

Rejoice, O Jerusalem! Hold festival, all ye who love Sion! Today the ancient bonds of Adam’s condemnation have been loosed! Paradise hath been opened unto us! The serpent hath been destroyed! He who deceived our first mother of old hath now seen a woman become the Mother of the Creator! O the depths of the richness, wisdom and understanding of God! The vessel of sin which brought death upon all flesh hath become the beginning of salvation for the whole world because of the Theotokos! For the most perfect God hath been born of her as a babe, and He sealeth her virginity by His nativity. And loosing the bonds of sin by His swaddling-bands, He healeth Eve’s pangs of labor through His becoming an infant! Let all creation then join chorus and leap up, for Christ hath come to restore it and to save our souls.

Now & ever…, in the same tone—

Thou madest Thine abode within a cave, O Christ God. The manger received Thee, and shepherds and magi offered Thee homage. Then was the preaching of the prophets fulfilled, and the angelic hosts marvelled, crying out and saying: Glory to Thy condescension, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind!

Then, Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace… Trisagion through Our Father…, and the troparion of the feast, in Tone IV—

Thy nativity, O Christ our God, hath shone forth the light of reason upon the world; for therein those who worship the stars have been taught by a star to worship Thee, the Son of righteousness, and to know Thee, the Dayspring from on high. O Lord, glory be to Thee! Thrice

Then, Blessed be the name of the Lord…, thrice, and Psalm 33—

I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth. In the Lord shall my soul be praised; let the meek hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my tribulations. Come unto Him, and be enlightened, and your faces shall not be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved Him out of all his tribulations. The angel of the Lord will encamp round about those who fear Him, and will deliver them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that hopeth in Him. O fear the Lord, all ye His saints; for there is no want to those who fear Him. Rich men have turned poor and gone hungry; but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good thing.