Prayer at the Nativity of Christ
NOTE: This prayer may be read before the Divine Liturgy of the Feast of the Nativity of Christ (i.e., either just before the Liturgy or the evening before), for those who are about to receive the Holy Mysteries.
O Master, Lord God Almighty: When You were born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem in Judea, the trembling creation was illumined and the world was made glad at Your Nativity. You made man according to Your Image and Likeness and gave him Baptism for repentance. You have led Your servants to this most. honourable day, by abstinence of the passions in the hope of Resurrection. Having instructed them in the truth of Your Godhead, open to them, in their hearts and minds, to know You the Son of God, Who takes away the sins of the whole world.
O Master, the Lover of Mankind, now accept Your servants, as once You received Peter when he was sinking in the sea and again, when he had denied You thrice, weeping bitterly, You accepted Him. Accept, O Master, the tears and sighs and repentance of Your servants, just as You received the groaning of the Publican and the weeping of the Harlot who anointed Your feet with tears, with her own hair wiping them for the sake of mercy. You received the thief to Yourself who had cried out on the Cross to You: “Remember me, O Lord, when You enter into Your Kingdom!” And You said to him: “Today you shall be with Me in paradise!”
We have heard voices speaking of the Magi worshiping with gifts, shepherds piping and angels singing, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will to men,” and of Herod greatly disturbed, for God had revealed Himself in the flesh for the salvation of the human race. Now, O Master, the Lover of Mankind, all creation sings Your praises, saying: “Christ is born! Glorify Him! Christ comes from Heaven! Meet Him! Christ is on earth! Be exalted!” Now the angelic assembly rejoices and choirs of Martyrs make glad, having seen Your glorious and honourable Nativity. Therefore let all of us praise Him, as is meet, with hearts and lips.
O Gracious Lover of Mankind and Lord, accept now these Your servants repenting of their own sins, known and unknown, voluntary or involuntary, and out of Your customary love for mankind, accept the bowing of the knees and the fasting of Your servants, that having fulfilled Your commandments and having reached Your holy and precious Nativity, pure and without reproach, they may become communicants of Your Most-pure Body and Precious Blood. For to You is due glory, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.