"Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One, and the earth
offers a cave to the Unapproachable One. Angels with shepherds give
glory; The Magi, with the star to guide them pursue their way. For
unto us there is born, a newborn babe, the Pre-eternal God."
St. Romanos the Melodist (Kontakia On the Nativity)
In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
My dearly beloved Orthodox Christians, tomorrow the virgin calls us
unto a holy fast to prepare for the "coming" of her Son. The wonder
of Orthodox Christianity is that it knows the Creator of the
Universe Who once said, "Let there be lights in the heaven and let
them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and for years."
Genesis 1:14
Many have lost touch with nature, and of those who haven't, the God
of that nature has been lost. The Orthodox Church has a cosmic
worldview that understands the workings of God in and through His
wondrous Creation. For we Orthodox Christians, attuned to "signs and
seasons," begin the Nativity Fast when the darkness rushes forward
to reach that hour when the night has attained its utmost length, so
that no further addition is possible. And then, "Emmanuel" appears.
"O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel.."
It is in winter time that our Savior appeared - when the darkness
overwhelms the light and the frost overwhelms the dew. So it is in
our own lives, when all is dark, when all is frost, when the sky is
overcast above, and the earth is hardened beneath, Christ appears.
Yes, the Messiah of Israel came at "the end of days," in the "old
age" of the year, that we may rejoice with the "youth" of the light
of day, hurrying to soon overtake the night.
We have much to be thankful for! For it is in the darkness that
each and every one of us experience more often than not, that the
Sun of Righteousness comes as the evening star that "glows brighter
and brighter unto the perfect Day."
I wish you all a joyous fast as we await together the "coming" of
the christ.
"Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee."
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+ROAC Subdeacon Nathnaniel Kapner
http://www.livejournal.com/users/sbn_nathanael/
"Angels we have heard on high,
Singing sweetly through the night;
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their brave delight.
"Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
"Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why these songs of happy cheer?
What great brightness did you see?
What glad tiding did you hear? Refrain
"Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the new-born King. Refrain
"See him in a manger laid
Whom the angels praise above;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While we raise our hearts in love. Refrain "
(Les Anges dans nos Campagnes; Traditional French Carol