The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

is a very early feast day of the Church, having been celebrated since the seventh century. It is important that these feasts of Mary be observed, because most, if not all, heresies stem from the denial of the Incarnation of Our Lord.

On this day let us offer thanks to God for the nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mother. As the child-bearer of the Son of God, she willingly made herself an instrument through which God brought salvation to all mankind. Pray that we, too, will heed his call, and offer ourselves up for His greater glory.


Propers for the Nativity of Mary
The Collect.

WE beseech thee, O Lord, pour into our hearts the abundance of thy heavenly grace: that like as the child-bearing of the Blessed Virgin Mary was unto us thy servants the beginning of salvation,, so the devout observance of her nativity may avail for the increasing of our peace. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen


The Epistle - Proverb 8:22-35.

The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.


The Gospel - St Matthew 1:1-16.

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.


Reference and Resources:

http://www.episcopalnet.org/1928bcp/propers/Missal/Sep8.html
http://fatherstephen.wordpress.com/2009/09/08/the-nativity-of-the-theotokos/
http://02continuum.wordpress.com/2009/09/08/nativity-of-our-lady/
http://wordincarnate.wordpress.com/2009/09/08/all-the-world-filled-with-joy/
http://oldhundredth.blogspot.com/2009/09/september-8-nativity-of-blessed-virgin.html
http://bishopdavidsblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/nativity-of-blessed-virgin-mary.html


†