On Thursday 5 January and Friday 6 January we had services for the Eve of the Nativity of Christ.  Matins was served on Thursday evening, with almost everyone present taking the opportunity to confess during the course of the service.  On Friday morning Vespers with the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great was served.  At Vespers the eight appointed readings from the Old Testament were read, some in Slavonic and some in English.  Following the service the troparion and kontakion of the Nativity of Christ, “Thy Nativity, O Christ our God” and “Today the Virgin giveth birth”, were sung.  The church was then prepared and decorated for the approaching festive services.