After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in tone V: Spec. Mel.: “The Word Who is equally unoriginate…”—
The star shining with brilliance, the magi arrived from Persia at the cave of Bethlehem, thankfully offering fitting gifts to the newborn King and the Virgin Mother, being directed to worship Him from among the nations.
On “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the feast, once; that of the innocents, once; Glory…, that of the venerable one; Now & ever…, that of the feast.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast risen from the dead…”—
Glory…, Now & ever…: the foregoing is repeated.
Canon of the feast, with 6 troparia; and two canons of the saints, with a total of 8 troparia.
As the music of the shepherds’ pipes falleth silent, the angelic choir exclaimeth, saying: “Chant ye divine praise, O ye who watch over sheep! Cry ye aloud, singing, for Christ the Lord hath been born, Whose good pleasure it is, as God, to save the human race!”
Glory…, Now & ever…: in the same tone and melody—
All-glorious is this mystery, O ye faithful: God is born of the Virgin, as is known. The ranks of angels, marvelling at His condescension, cry aloud, chanting, for Christ the Lord is born, Whose good pleasure it is, as God, to save the human race!
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.