Looking over the typikon instructions for this Sunday, I briefly noted that again we sing the Kontakion of the Forefeast. I was about to just file that away as a detail, when I started to read it. It really is amazing the wealth of hymnody that we have in the Church. So much so that sometimes we can’t take it all in. For the past couple weeks and the next couple, we’ll be hearing this chanted or sung before Christmas, and yet look at everything it expresses — theologically, poetically, spiritually:

Today the Virgin cometh to the cave
to give birth in an ineffable manner
to the pre-eternal Word.

Rejoice, therefore, O universe, when thou hearest,
and glorify with the angels and shepherds
Him who shall appear by His own will
as a new Child,
the pre-eternal God.

Certainly beats ‘Seasons greetings,’ huh?