Sunday after Nativity

Reading from the Synaxarion:

On the Sunday that falls on or immediately after the twenty-sixth of
this month, we make commemoration of Saints Joseph, the Betrothed of
the Virgin; David, the Prophet and King; and James, the Brother of
God. When there is no Sunday within this period, we celebrate this
commemoration on the 26th.

Saint Joseph (whose name means "one who increases") was the son of
Jacob, and the son-in-law - and hence, as it were, the son - of Eli (who
was also called Eliakim or Joachim), who was the father of Mary the
Virgin (Matt. 1:16; Luke 3:23). He was of the tribe of Judah, of the
family of David, an inhabitant of Nazareth, a carpenter by Trade, and
advanced in age when, by God's good will, he was betrothed to the Virgin,
that he might minister to the great mystery of God's dispensation in
the flesh by protecting her, providing for her, and being known as
her husband so that she, being a virgin, would not suffer reproach
when she was found to be with child. Joseph had been married before
his betrothal to our Lady; they who are called Jesus' "brethren and
sisters" (Matt. 13:55-56) are the children of Joseph by his first
marriage. From Scripture, we know that Saint Joseph lived at least until
the Twelfth year after the birth of Christ (Luke 2:41-52); according
to the tradition of the Fathers, he reposed before the beginning of
the public ministry of Christ.

The child of God and ancestor of God, David, the great Prophet after
Moses, sprang from the tribe of Judah. He was the son of Jesse, and was
born in Bethlehem (whence it is called the City of David), in the year
1085 before Christ. While yet a youth, at the command of God he was
anointed secretly by the Prophet Samuel to be the second King of the
Israelites, while Saul - who had already been deprived of divine grace - was
yet living. In the thirtieth year of his life, when Saul had been
slain in battle, David was raised to the dignity of King, first, by his
own tribe, and then by all the Israelite people, and he reigned for
forty years. Having lived seventy years, he reposed in 1015 before
Christ, having proclaimed beforehand that his son Solomon was to be the
successor to the throne.

The sacred history has recorded not only the grace of the Spirit that
dwelt in him from his youth, his heroic exploits in war, and his great
piety towards God, but also his transgressions and failings as a man.
Yet his repentance was greater than his transgresssions, and his love
for God fervent and exemplary; so highly did God honour this man,
that when his son Solomon sinned, the Lord told him that He would not
rend the kingdom in his lifetime "for David thy father's sake" (III
Kings 12:12). Of The Kings of Israel, Jesus the Son of Sirach
testifies, "All, except David and Hezekias and Josias, were defective"
(Ecclus. 49:4). The name David means "beloved."

His melodious Psalter is the foundation of all the services of the
Church; there is not one service that is not filled with Psalms and
psalmic verses. It was the means whereby old Israel praised God, and was
used by the Apostles and the Lord Himself. It is so imbued with the
spirit of prayer that the monastic fathers of all ages have used it as
their trainer and teacher for their inner life of converse with God.
Besides eloquently portraying every state and emotion of the soul before
her Maker, the Psalter is filled with prophecies of the coming of
Christ. It foretells His Incarnation, "He bowed the heavens and came
down" (Psalm 17:9), His Baptism in the Jordan, "The waters saw Thee, O
God, The waters saw Thee and were afraid" (76:15), His Crucifixion in
its details, "They have pierced My hands and My feet .... They have
parted My garments amongst themselves, and for My vesture have they cast
lots" (21:16, 18). "For My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink"
(68:26), His descent into Hades, "For Thou wilt not abandon My soul in
Hades, nor wilt Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption" (15:10) and
Resurrection, "Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered" (67:1). His
Ascension, "God is gone up in jubilation" (46:5), and so forth.

As for James, the Brother of God, see October 23.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Second Tone
When the angelic powers appeared at Your grave, the soldiers guarding
it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary
who was seeking Your immaculate body. You devastated Hades, not
afflicted by it. You went to meet the virgin, and granted eternal life. You
resurrected from the dead. O Lord, glory to You.

Resurrectional Kontakion in the Plagal of the Second Tone
When the Life-bestower Christ God had resurrected * with His vivifying
hand, from the dismal caverns, * all the dead from eternity, He freely
bestowed * resurrection on the substance of our mortal humanity. * For He
is the Savior of all, resurrection and life, and the God of all
things.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Tone
Today, the Virgin bears Him who is transcendent, and the earth presents
the cave to Him who is beyond reach. Angels, along with shepherds
glorify Him. The Magi make their way to Him by a star. For a new child
has been born for us, the God before all ages.