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Why must the Nativity Feast Liturgy finish after midnight (12 a. m.)?

Because the Lord Jesus was born in the early hours of the morning as the psalm says; "From the womb I have begotten Thee, before the morning star" (Ps 110:3, Septuagint).  St. Augustine says; "This expression also, "before the morning star," is used both figuratively and literally, and was thus fulfilled. For the Lord was born at night from the womb of the Virgin Mary; the testimony of the shepherds doth assert this, who were "keeping watch over their flock.""