|
Byzantine Hymn of the Nativity
|
Today is born of the Virgin Him Who holdeth all creation in the hollow of His hand. He Whose essence is untouchable is wrapped in swaddling clothes as a babe. The God Who from of old established the heavens lieth in a manger.... We worship Thy Nativity, O Christ. Show us also Thy divine Theophany!
|
|
|
The Nativity Sermon of St. John Chrysostom Bethlehem this day resembles heaven; hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices; and in place of the sun, enfolds within itself on every side, the Sun of justice. ...read more |
St. Ephraim the Syrian on the Nativity Pure is the present night, in which the Pure One appeared, Who came to purify us! Let our hearing be pure, and the sight of our eyes chaste, and the feeling of the heart holy, and the speech of the mouth sincere! ...read more |
|
|
Christ is Born! Glorify Him! Let every twinkling light on every bush and window remind us that Christ is the Light that brings us from darkness into light.... Let every gift we present to one another remind us of the gift of life that Christ is for us.... Let every Christmas carol and seasonal song, remind us that we are called to praise God from the depths of our beings. ...read more |
Glad Tidings of Great Joy When the "Hail" of the angelic salutation is translated "Rejoice" ....there is an even greater presence of the "good news of great joy" for the faithful, since they, together with the whole of creation, are greeted with this salutation again and again in the songs of the festal celebration. ...read more |
|
|
Selection from St. Romanos' Kontakia on the Nativity The Virgin today gives birth to the superessential One, |
The Sun of Righteousness Some people fault the Christian Church for establishing the feast of Christ's birth on the day of the "birth of the sun." ...Orthodox Christians believe that it was an act inspired by the Holy Spirit. God has sent His Son into the world for its sanctification and salvation. ...read more |