Christmas Meditations

"I behold a new and wondrous mystery. My ears resound to the shepherd's song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn. The angels sing. The archangels blend their voice in harmony. The cherubim hymn their joyful praise. The seraphim exalt His glory. All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man in Heaven. He Who is above, now for our redemption dwells here below; and he that was lowly is by divine mercy raised.

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. And ask not how; for where God wills, the order of nature yields. For He willed, He, Who had the power. He descended. He redeemed; all things move in obedience to God. This day He Who is, is born; and He Who is, becomes what He was not. For when He was God, He became man; yet not departing from the Godhead that is His. Nor yet by any loss of divinity became He man, nor through increase became He God from man; but being the Word He became flesh. His nature, because of impassability, remaining unchanged.

When He was born, the Jews denied His extraordinary birth; the Pharisees began to interpret falsely the Sacred writings; the scribes spoke in contradiction of that which they read. Herod sought Him out Who was born, not that he might adore, but to put Him to death. Today all things proclaim the opposite. For they have not been, that I may speak with the psalmist, hidden from their children, in another generations (Ps. 127:4). And so the kings have seen the heavenly King that has come upon the earth, not bringing with Him angels, nor archangels, nor thrones, nor dominations, nor powers, nor principalities, but treading a new and solitary path He has come forth from a spotless womb."

-St. John Chrysostom (344-407 A.D.)



 On the Incarnation

The actual, first nativity of Christ, His actual birth from all eternity in the bosom of His Father, must be venerated in silence. We should never permit our mind to investigate this mystery. Since time and space did not exist, since no form of expressions had yet been created, since there is not a single eyewitness, nor anyone who can describe this eternal birth, how can reason form any concept for reflection? How can the tongue give expression to thoughts that cannot be formulated? The Father was, and the Son was born! Do not say: "when?" but rather leave that question unasked. Do not ask "how?" for there is not answer! For the word "when" suggests time, and "how" suggests birth in the flesh...God is on earth, He is among men, not in the fire nor amid the sound of trumpets; not in the smoking mountain, or in the darkness, or in the terrible and roaring tempest giving the Law, but manifested in the flesh, the gentle and good One dwells with those He condescends to make His equals! God is in the flesh, not operating from a distance, as did the prophets, but through Him human nature, one with ours, He seeks to bring back all mankind to Himself.

St. Basil the Great "On the Incarnation"

Since you are the God of peace and the Father all-merciful, O Lover of Mankind, You sent us the great Messenger of Your knowledge and granted to us Your peace. Led to the light of Your Divine Knowledge, we come out of the darkness to sing to You a hymn of glory.

Orthros Service

O man, know then that God becomes flesh
And where did this incarnation take place?
The body of a Holy Virgin!
Let us, too, burst forth with voice of joy.
Let us celebrate the mystery of the Salvation of the whole world,
The birthday of mankind.
Today the blame of Adam is revoked.
No longer: "You are dust, and to dust you will return";
But, closely united to the celestial world,
You will be lifted even into Heaven.
No longer: in pain will you bear sons;
But, blessed is the one who has borne Emmanuel
And blessed is the womb that nourished Him.

-St. Basil the Great (d. 379) Homily on the Generation of Christ

This Christmas night bestowed peace on the whole world;
So let no one threaten;
This is the night of the Most Gentle One -
Let no one be cruel;
This is the night of the Humble One -
Let no one be proud.
Now is the day of joy -
Let us not revenge;
Now is the day of Good Will -
Let us not be mean.
In this Day of Peace -
Let us not be conquered by anger.
Today the Bountiful impoverished Himself for our sake; So, rich one, invite the poor to your table.
Today we receive a Gift for which we did not ask;
So let us give alms to those who implore and beg us.
This present Day cast open the heavenly doors to our prayers;
Let us open our door to those who ask our forgiveness.
Today the DIVINE BEING took upon Himself the seal of our humanity
In order for humanity to be decorated by the Seal of DIVINITY.

-St. Isaac the Syrian (d.c. 700)

The Manger Is Filled With His Splendor

"He who measures the heavens with the span of His hand
Lies in a manger a span's breadth;
He who's cupped hands contain the sea
Is born in a cave;
His glory fills the heavens
And the manger is filled with His splendor.
Moses wished to see His glory
But was unable to see Him as he wished;
Let us come and see Him today
As He lies in the manger in swaddling clothes.
Formerly there was none who dared to see God and still live, But today all who have seen Him
Are saved from the second death."

-St. Ephrem the Syrian (d. 373)



Today In Bethlehem

Today in Bethlehem hear I
Sweet Angel voices singing:
All glory be to God on high,
Who peace on earth is bringing.
The Virgin holdeth more
Than highest heaven most holy,
Light shines on what was dark before,
And lifteth up the lowly.
God will that peace shall be on earth
And holy exultation,
Sweet Babe, I greet Thy spotless birth
And wondrous Incarnation.
Today in Bethlehem hear I
Even the lowly singing;
With angel-words they pierce the sky;
All earth with joy is ringing.

-St. John of Damascus (d. 749)