"And when the fullness of time was come, God sent His onlybegotten Son"
(Gal. 4:4), to save the human race. And when the ninth month had come after
the archangel Gabriel appeared to the most holy Virgin in Nazareth, saying:
"Hail, thou that art highly favoured... thou shalt conceive and bear a
son" - at that time a decree went forth from Caesar Augustus that all the
inhabitants of the Roman Empire be taxed. In accordance with this decree, everyone
had to go to his own town and there be inscribed. Therefore righteous Joseph
came with the most holy Virgin to Bethlehem, the city of David, for they were
both of the royal House of David.
But, there being a great many people in that small city for the census, Joseph
and Mary could not find a lodging in any house, and found shelter in a cave
which the shepherds used as a sheepfold. In this cave the most holy Virgin gave
birth to the Saviour of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ. Bearing Him without
pain, as He was conceived without sin of the Holy Spirit and not of man, she
herself wrapped Him in swaddling bands, worshipped Him as God and laid Him in
a manger. Then righteous Joseph drew near and worshipped Him as the divine Fruit
of a virgin womb. Then the shepherds came in from the fields, directed by an
angel of God, and worshipped Him as Messiah and Saviour.
The shepherds had heard a multitude of angels singing: "Glory to God
in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men" (Luke 2:14).
At that time there also came wise men from the East, led by a wonderful star,
bearing their gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh, and worshipped Him as King
of kings, offering Him their gifts (Matt. 2:11). Thus He came into the world
Whose coming had been foretold by the prophets and Who was born in the way that
they had prophesied: of the most holy Virgin, in the city of Bethlehem, of the
lineage of David according to the flesh, at the time when there was no longer
in Jerusalem a king of the tribe of 3udah, but Herod the stranger was on the
throne.After many types and prefigurings, messengers and heralds, prophets and
righteous men, wise men and kings, finally He appeared, the Lord of the world
and King of kings, to perform the work of the salvation of mankind that could
not be performed by His servants. May His be eternal glory and praise! Amen.
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