St. Tikhon’s will offer a number of services in celebration of our Lord’s Nativity. On Dec. 24, the Eve of Nativity, is a very important day liturgically for the Church, as we gather in preparation for the one who is to come, the Incarnate Lord.
Services begin at 8 a.m. with Royal Hours. At this service, we hear Psalmody, Old Testament, Epistle, Gospel readings related to the feast.
At 1 p.m. we gather again for Vesperal Liturgy. This service is a combination of Vespers (an evening worship) and Divine Liturgy. Here, we continue our preparation with special hymns and an extended hearing of Old Testament prophecies. We also are given the blessing of the Holy Eucharist to sustain us as we continue our journey to the cave in Bethlehem. A sermon will be offered at this service.
We gather again at 6:30 p.m. for Christmas Vigil. Here we have the services of Great Compline and Matins. Candles are ablaze and the spirit of Christmas is shining brightly. Those who keep the feast are given blessed bread and are anointed with oil to sustain them during these holy days.
All three services on Dec. 24 are around two hours in length.
On Christmas Day itself, Divine Liturgy will be offered at 8 a.m.
Join us, one and all, as we sing our festal hymn:
Thy Nativity, O Christ our God,
Has shone to the world the Light of wisdom!
For by it, those who worshipped the stars,
Were taught by a Star to adore Thee,
The Sun of Righteousness,
And to know Thee, the Orient from on High.
O Lord, glory to Thee!