Saturday, December 24 : Byzantine Liturgy

Prepare yourself, O Bethlehem ! Eden’s gates are opening wide to all. Rejoice! O Ephrata (Mic 5,1), for within the cave the Virgin is bringing the tree of life to blossom… Christ draws near to serve us : he, the Creator, takes on the form of his own handiwork. In the full panoply of his divinity and full of mercy, he brings a new creation, a new birth, to wretched Adam. He bends the heavens and, from out of the Virgin’s womb, he draws near to us, clothed in our flesh. He is to be born in Bethlehem, according to the Scriptures; he will appear as a child who gives life to children in their mothers’ womb. Let us go to meet him ; let us go to Bethlehem rejoicing, our souls glad. Our Lord… comes to it as a stranger; let us welcome him that we may be his guests in paradise and dwell there through the mercy of him who is born in the stable. The gates of the incarnation of God’s Word are already opening to us. Heavens rejoice! Angels, leap for gladness ! Let the earth and those who dwell in it give way to rejoicing with the shepherds and the wise men! The Virgin Mary comes forward bearing an alabaster vase full of perfume; she takes it into the cave that she might scent our souls with her perfume in the Holy Spirit. Run there, angelic Powers! All you who dwell in Bethlehem, prepare a cradle. For Christ is on the way, Wisdom is coming. O you faithful, receive our greetings; peoples, let us say together to give joy to the Mother of God: “Blessed is he, our God, who comes!” (Mt 21,9). Christ our God is appearing openly; he will not delay. He is to be born of an immaculate Virgin; soon he will rest in the cave… Lead the choir, Isaiah, declare God’s Word; prophesy to us how the bush that is the Virgin is blazing without being consumed (Ex 3,2)… The mysterious star that halts above the stable indicates the Author of life, the Lord who comes to save all humankind
maronite readings – rosary,team