d9popov wrote:I do not support Kerykos's schism or ecclesiology, but he does have a college degree in theology and does have some correct opinions. It is totally acceptable to have the bath, since thousands of traditional icons have it. A bath was not necessary for Christ, but it was customary for all babies of the time and therefore is represented in traditional icons of His Nativity. Lets follow tradition
The problem with the bath is that it teaches an untruth that the Christ Child was born in a natural way when Christ was born in a supernatural way in that before, during, and after the birth, the Christ Child did not open his mother's womb (cervix). It is taught that the Virgin Mary did not have a menstrual period before or after the birth of Christ. Hence, the ever-Virgin Mary was never unclean, and retained her purity and virginity. When it came time for her to produce her first egg, it was immediately fertilized by the action of the Holy Spirit at the Holy Incarnation. This is why it is taught that the Ever Virgin Mary gave birth at the young age of 13 or 14.
Even today, babies are bathed to wash off the maternal blood during vaginal childbirth and the amniotic fluid with its impurities. In addition, babies are naturally born with a protective waxy layer which is washed off by the midwife or nurse.