Matthew 2:1-12

¹ Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ² “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.” ³ When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born. ⁵ They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet, ⁶ ‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come a governor, who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’” ⁷ Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. ⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.” ⁹ They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. ¹¹ They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹² Being warned in a dream that they shouldn’t return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.

Galatians 4:4-7

⁴ But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, ⁵ that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children. ⁶ And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” ⁷ So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

The Nativity of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ is one of the Twelve Great Feasts and, together with Pascha, among the two central celebrations of the Christian year.

According to the Gospels, Christ was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem, laid in a manger, and announced by angels to shepherds keeping watch nearby; wise men from the East later came to worship Him, guided by a star. The feast is preceded by a forty-day fast and followed by a period of continuous celebration, proclaiming that God became man so that mankind might be united to God.