Friday 25 December 2026

Nativity of Christ

Friday of the 30th week after Pentecost

No Fast — Fast Free Tone 4

Christmastide, day 1

Nativity of Christ

About Nativity of Christ →

Nativity of Christ
c. 1405–1410s, Moscow school, attributed to Andrei Rublev; from the festal tier of the iconostasis of the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin · Wikimedia Commons · pd-old-work

Saints commemorated

  • The Shepherds who saw the Lord

  • The Veneration of the Magi

British Isles and Ireland

  • St. Alburgh (Æthelburh) of Wilton, nun (810)

Troparia & kontakia

Kontakion — Tone 3

Today the Virgin gives birth to him who is above all being, and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable. Angels with shepherds give glory, and Magi journey with a star; for for our sake is born a young Child, the pre-eternal God.

Troparion — Tone 4

Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath dawned upon the world as the light of knowledge; for by it they that worshipped the stars were taught by a star to worship thee, the Sun of righteousness, and to know thee, the Dayspring from on high. O Lord, glory to thee.

Readings

Matins Gospel

Matthew 1.18-25

18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Epistle

Galatians 4.4-7 (Nativity)

4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Gospel

Matthew 2.1-12 (Nativity)

1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.