Church Bulletin - December 22, 2002 - Sunday before the Nativity

Sunday before the Nativity - December 22, 2002
[ Click here for the Bible readings: Heb 11:9-10; Heb 11:32-40; Mt 1:1-25]
[ Click here for the Bible readings in Greek and English ]

[Click here to see past Church bulletin messages]
[ Home | Bulletin Menu | Previous | Next ]

A PLACE FOR EVERYONE AT THE MANGER

Many of us undoubtedly have fond memories of decorating our home for Christmas when we were growing up. The tree would be trimmed with all of our treasured ornaments . . . candles would be placed in the windows . . . wreaths would be hung on the doors. The greatest care, however, was given to putting up our Nativity Set, no matter how elaborate or humble it might have been. Everything had to be placed "just so!" All of the familiar figures of the Christmas Story - the angels, the shepherds, the wise men, the animals and, of course, Joseph, the Blessed Virgin and the Christ-Child - were arranged in a manner that would best reflect the telling of this wondrous event.

As we prepare to celebrate our Savior's Birth, and as we meditate upon the role everyone played in it, we must all mentally place one more "figure" in our Nativity Set: OURSELVES. Christ was born for all of us. He came into the world for the sake of our salvation. We all share in the joy of this blessed day. Indeed, the hymns of our Holy Orthodox Church remind us that all of creation participates in the celebration of this Feast: "The angels give You praise. The heavens give You a star. The wise men give You gifts. The shepherds give You wonder. The earth gives You a cave. The wilderness gives You a manger. And we men give You a virgin mother."

May the words of St. Gregory the Theologian help us to fulfill our role at the manger this year: "Bring glory with the shepherds, bring gifts with the wise men, rejoice with the angels and sing praises with the archangels, so that heaven and earth may join in celebration today."

KURIAKH PRO THS CRISTOU GENNHSEWS
jAnastasiva~ Megalomavrturo~
th``~ Farmakolutriva~

Anastavsimon jApolutivkion

JTou` livqou sfragisqevnto~ uJpov tw`n jIoudaivwn, kaiv stratiwtw`n fulassovntwn tov a[crantovn sou sw`ma, ajnevsth~ trihvmero~ Swthvr, dwrouvmeno~ tw`/ kovsmw/ thvn zwhvn. Diav tou`to aiJ dunavmei~ tw`n oujranw`n, ejbovwn soi zwodovta: Dovjxa th`/ ajnastavsei sou Cristev: dovxa th`/ basileiva/ sou: dovxa th`/ oijkonomiva/ sou, movne filavnqrwpe.

SUNDAY BEFORE THE BIRTH
OF CHRIST
Anastasia the Great Martyr
the Deliverer from poison

Resurrection Dismissal Hymn

Savior, Your tomb was sealed by the Jews with a stone. Soldiers kept watch over Your sacred body. Yet, You rose on the third day, giving life to the world. Wherefore the powers of heaven cried out, to You, O Giver of Life, "Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ; glory to Your Kingdom, glory to Your dispensation, who alone are the loving One."

jApolutivkion tou` JAgivou jEleuqerivou

JIerevwn podhvrei katakosmouvmeno~, kaiv aiJmavtwn toi`~ reivqroi~ ejpistazovmeno~, tw`/ Despovth/ sou Cristw`/ mavkar ejnevdrame~, jElauqevrie sofev, kaqairevta tou` Satavn. Diov mhv pauvsh/ presbeuvwn, uJpevr tw`n pistei timwvntwn, thvn makarivan sou a[qlhsin.

Dismissal Hymn of Saint Eleftherios

Adorned with flowing priestly vesture and with dripping streams of blood you at once went to your Lord Christ, O blessed wise Eleftherios, annihilator of Satan. Wherefore, do not cease to intercede for those who honor your blessed struggles in faith.

jApolutivkion tw`n Patevrwn

JMegavla tav th`~ pivstew~ katorqwvmata! ejn th`/ phgh`/ th`~ flogov~, wJ~ ejpiv u{dato~ ajnapauvsew~, oiJ a{gioi Trei`~ Pai`de~ hJgavllonto: kaiv oJ profhvth~ Danihvl, leovntwn poimhvn, wJ~ probavtwn ejdeivknuto. Tai`~ aujtw`n iJkesivai~ Cristev oJ Qeov~, sw`son tav~ yucav~ hJmw`n.

Dismissal Hymn of the Fathers

Great are the accomplishments of faith. In the fountain of flame, the three Holy Youths rejoiced as though they were resting by the waters. And the Prophet Daniel showed himself to be a shepherd to the lions, as though they were sheep. Through their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.

jApolutivkion prov th`~ Cristou` Gennhvsew~

JEtoimavzou bhqleevm: h[noiktai pa`sin hJ jEdevm. Eujtrepivzou jEfraqa`, o{ti tov xuvlon th`~ zwh`~, ejn tw`/ Sphlaivw/ ejxhvnqhsen ejk th`~ Parqevnou. Paravdeiso~ kaiv gavr, hJ ejkeivnh~ gasthvr, ejdeivcqh nohtov~, ejn w|/ tov qei`on futovn: ejx ou| fagovnte~ zhvsomen, oujciv dev wJ~ oJ jAdavm teqnhxovmeqa. Cristov~ genna`tai, thvn privn pesou`san ajnasthvswn eijkovna.

Dismissal Hymn before the Birth of Christ

Prepare O Bethlehem, Eden is open to all. Adorn yourself O Efratha for, in the cave, the Tree of Life has blossomed forth from the Virgin. Her womb has been revealed as a noetic Paradise wherein lies the divine seedling. If we partake of it we shall live, if not, then we shall die as Adam. Christ is born, restoring the once fallen image.

jApolutikion tou` JAgivou Nikolavou

Kanovna pivstew~ , kaiv eijkovna praovthto~, ejgkrateiva~ Didavskalon, ajnevdeixev se th`/ poivmnh/ sou, hJ tw`n pragmavtwn ajlhvqeia: diav tou`to ejkthvsw th`/ tapeinwvsei tav uJyhlav, th`/ ptwceiva/ tav plouvsia, Pavter iJeravrca Nikovlae: prevsbeue Cristw`/ tw`/ Qew`/, swqh`nai tav~ yucav~ hJmw`n.

Dismissal Hymn of St. Nicholas

An example of the Faith and a life of humility, as a teacher of abstinence you did inspire and lead your flock and through your truthfulness of your deeds were exalted by greatness through your humility uplifting all and by poverty gaining wealth. Father and hierarch Nicholas intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

Kontavkion

JH Parqevno~ shvmeron, tovn proaiwvnion Lovgon, ejn sphlaivw/ e[rcetai, ajpotekei`n ajporrhvtw~. Covreue , hJ oijkoumevnh ajkoutisqei`sa, dovxason, metav jAggevlwn kaiv tw`n Poimevnwn, boulhqevnta ejpofqh`nai, paidivon nevon, tovn proj aijwvnwn Qeovn.

Kontakion

Today the Virgin comes to the cave to ineffably give birth, to the eternal Logos. Hearkening to this, rejoice, O Universe, with the angels and shepherds glorify Him, the God before all ages, who willed to be beheld as a young child.

jjApovstolo~
Prokeivmenon. \Hco~ d j. {Umno~
Triw`n Paivdwn (Danihvl g j).
Eujloghtov~ ei\, Kuvrie, oJ Qeov~
tw`n Patevrwn hJmw`n.
Stivc. {Oti divkaio~ ei\ ejpiv pa`sin
oi|~ ejpoivhsa~ hJmi`n.
Prov~ JEbraivou~ jEpistolh`~ Pauvlou
tov jAnavgnwsma.
Kef. ia.j 9,10, 32<40

jAdelfoiv, pivstei parwvkhsen jAbraavm eij~ thvn gh`n th`~ ejpaggeliva~ wJ~ ajllotrivan, ejn skhnai`~ katoikhvsa~ metav jIsaavk kaiv jIakwvb tw`n sugklhronovmwn th`~ ejpaggeliva~ th`~ aujth`~: ejxedevceto gavr thvn touv~ qemelivou~ e[cousan povlin, h|~ tecnivth~ kaiv dhmiourgov~ oJ Qeov~. Kaiv tiv e[ti levgw_ jEpileivyei gavr me dihgouvmenon oJ crovno~ periv Gedewvn, Baravk te kaiv Samywvn kaiv jIefqave, Daui?d te kaiv Samouhvl kaiv tw`n profhtw`n, oi{ diav pivstew~ kathgwnivsanto basileiva~, eijrgavsanto dikaiosuvnhn, ejpevtucon ejpaggeliw`n, e[fraxan stovmata leovntwn, e[sbesan duvnamin purov~, e[fugon stovmata macaivra~, ejnedunamwvqhsan ajpov ajsqeneiva~, ejgennhvqhsan ijscuroiv ejn polevmw/, parembolav~ e[klinan ajllotrivwn: e[labon gunai`ke~ ejx ajnastavsew~ touv~ nekrouv~ aujtw`n: a[lloi dev ejtumpanivsqhsan, ouj prosdexavmenoi thvn ajpoluvtrwsin, i{na kreivvttono~ ajnastavsew~ tuvcwsin: e{teroi dev ejmpaigmw`n kaiv mastivgwn pei`ran e[labon, e[ti dev desmw`n kaiv fulakh`~: ejliqavsqhsan, ejprivsqhsan, ejpeiravsqhsan, ejn fovnw/ macaivra~ ajpevqanon, perih`lqon ejn mhlwtai`~, ejn aijgeivoi~ devrmasin, uJsterouvmenoi, qlibovmenoi, kakoucouvmenoi, w|n oujk h\n a[xio~ oJ kovsmo~, ejn ejrhvmivai~ planwvmenoi kaiv o[resi kaiv sphlaivoi~ kaiv tai`~ ojpai`~ th`~ gh`~: Kaiv ou|toi pavnte~ marturhqevnte~ diav th`~ pivstew~ oujk ejkomivsanto thvn ejpaggelivan, tou` Qeou` periv hJmw`n krei`ttovn ti probleyamevnou, i{na mhv cwriv~ hJmw`n teleiwqw`si.

Epistle
Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone. Hymn of the Three
Children, Daniel 3.26, 27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
Verse. For you are just in all you have done.
The reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter
to the Hebrews.
Chapter 11:9-10, 32-40

BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise against to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wondering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Eujaggevlion
JEk tou` katav Matqai`on.
Kef. a j (1), 1<25.

Bivblo~ genevsew~ jIhsou` Cristou`, UiJou` Daui?d, UiJou` jAbraavm. jAbraavm ejgevnnhse tovn jIsaavk: jIsaavk dev ejgevnnhse tovn jIakwvb: jIakwvb dev ejgevnnhse tovn jIouvdan, kaiv touv~ ajdelfouv~ aujtou`: jIouvda~ dev ejgevnnhse tovn Farev~ kaiv tovn Zarav ejk th`~ Qavmar: Farev~ dev ejgevnnhse tovn jEsrwvm: jEsrwvm dev ejgevnnhse tovn jAravm: jAravm dev ejgevnnhse tovn jAminadavb: jAminadavb dev ejgevnnhse tovn Naaswvn: Naaswvm dev ejgevnnhse tovn Salmwvn: Salmwvn dev ejgevnnhse tovn Boovz ejk th`~ Racavb: Boovz dev ejgevnnhse tovn jWbhvd ejk th`~ Rouvq: jWbhvd dev ejgevnnhse tovn jIessaiv: jIessaiv dev ejgevnnhse tovn Daui?d tovn basileva: Daui?d dev oJ basileuv~ ejgevnnhse tovn Solomw`nta ejk th`~ tou` Oujrivou: Solomwvn dev ejgevnnhse tovn Roboavm. Roboavm dev ejgevnnhse tovn jAbiav: jAbiav dev ejgevnnhse tovn jAsav: jAsav dev ejgevnnhse tovn jIwsafavt: jIwsafavt dev ejgevnnhse tovn jIwravm: jIwravm dev ejgevnnhse tovn jOzivan: jOziva~ dev ejgevnnhse tovn jIwavqam: jIwavqam dev ejgevnhse tovn [Acaz: [Acaz dev ejgevnnhse tovn jEzekivan: jEzekiva~ dev ejgevnnhse tovn Manassh`: Manassh`~ dev ejgevnnhse tovn jAmwvn: jAmwvn dev ejgevnnhse tovn jIwsivan: jIwsiva~ dev ejgevnnhse tovn jIeconivan kaiv touv~ ajdelfouv~ aujtou`, ejpiv th`~ metoikesiva~ Babulw`no~. Metav dev thvn metoikesivan Babulw`no~, jIeconiva~ ejgevnnhse tovn Salaqihvl: Salaqihvl dev ejgevnnhse tovn Zorobavbel: Zorobavbel dev ejgevnnhse tovn jAbiouvd: jAbiouvd dev ejgevnnhse tovn jEliakeivm: jEliakeivm dev ejgevnnhse tovn jAzwvr: jAzwvr dev ejgevnnhse tovn Sadwvk: Sadwvk dev ejgevnnhse tovn jAceivm: jAceivm dev ejgevnnhse tovn jEliouvd: jEliouvd dev ejgevnnhse tovn jEleavzar: jEleavzar dev ejgevnnhse tovn Matqavn: Matqavn dev ejgevnnhse tovn jIakwvb: jIakwvb dev ejgevnnhse tovn jIwshvf tovn a[ndra Mariva~, ejx h|~ ejgennhvqh jIhsou`~ oJ legovmeno~ Cristov~. Pa`sai ou\n aiJ geneaiv ajpov jAbraavm e{w~ Daui?d, geneaiv devkatevssare~ kaiv ajpov Daui?d e{w~ th`~ metoikesiva~ Babulw`no~, geneaiv dekatevssare~: kaiv ajpov th`~ metoikesiva~ Babulw`no~ e{w~ tou` Cristou`, geneaiv dekatevssare~. Tou` dev jIhsou` Cristou` hJ Gevnnhsi~ ou{tw~ h\n. Mnhsteuqeivsh~ gavr th`~ mhtrov~ aujtou` Mariva~ tw`/ jIwshvf, privn h\n sunelqei`n aujtouv~, euJrevqh ejn gastriv e[cousa ejk Pneuvmato~ aJgivou. JIwshvf dev oJ ajnhvr aujth`~, divkaio~ w[n, kaiv mhv qevlwn aujthvn paradeigmativsai, ejboulhvqh lavqra/ ajpolu`sai aujthvn. Tau`ta dev aujtou` ejnqumhqevnto~, ijdouv, [Aggelo~ Kurivou kat j o[nar ejfavnh aujtw`/, levgwn: jIwshvf, uiJov~ Daui?d, mhv fobhqh`/~ paralabei`n Mariavm thvn gunai`kav sou: tov gavr ejn aujth`/ gennhqevn ejk Pneuvmato~ ejstin aJgivou. Tevxetai dev uiJovn, kaiv kalevsei~ tov o[noma aujtou` jIhsou`n: aujtov~ gavr swvsei tovn laovn aujtou` ajpov tw`n aJmartiw`n aujtw`n: Tou`to dev o{lon gevgonen, I{na plhrwqh` tov rJhqevn uJpov tou` Kurivou diav tou` Profhvtou, levgonto~: jIdouv, hJ Parqevno~ ejn gastriv e{xei, kaiv tevxetai UiJovn, kaiv kalevsousi tov o[noma aujtou` jEmmanouhvl: o{ ejsti meqermhneuovmenon, Meq j hJmw`n oJ Qeov~. Diegerqeiv~ dev oJ jIwshvf ajpov tou` u{pnou, ejpoivhsen wJ~ prosevtaxen aujtw`/ oJ [Aggelo~ Kurivou, kaiv parevlabe thvn gunai`ka aujtou`, kaiv oujk ejgivnwsken aujthvn, e{w~ ou| e[teke tovn UiJovn aujth`~ tovn prwtovtokon: kaiv ejkavlese tov o[noma aujtou` jIhsou`n.

Gospel
From the Gospel according to St. Matthew
Chapter 1:1-25

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac was the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eliazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commended him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
1260 Davis Street, San Jose, California 95126