'Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath shined the light of knowledge upon the world; for thereby they that worshipped the stars were instructed by a star to worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee, the Dayspring from on high. O Lord, glory be to Thee.'
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Holy Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ every year. A period of fasting and preparation precedes the celebration.
The Divine Liturgy of the feast is the apex of the celebration. All of us have the opportunity to hear the Holy Gospel and receive the Precious Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Christ is born! Indeed He is born!" ..."Christ is born! Glorify Him!" are common Orthodox greetings at the arrival of the feast. The hearts of Orthodox faithful fill with joy in the Divine Liturgy.
The Holy Gospel of St. Matthew mentions the specific place where the Christ Child was born...Bethlehem of Judea. The time of the birth is established when Herod is identified as having been king.
Jesus Christ came into the world in human flesh at a particular time in history. He did not come in human flesh earlier. The Holy Apostle Paul told the Galatians: "When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law."(Gal. 4:4)
The Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Galatians (4:4-7) is read during the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Nativity.
The celebration of the Feast of the Nativity opens the minds of believers to the Lord Jesus Christ taking on human flesh. Serious believers will think carefully about this unparalleled birth.
Serious believers will think about the culture into which Jesus came and about the circumstances into which Jesus came. Serious believers will think about the centuries leading to the birth of the Christ Child.
Centuries have passed since Jesus took on human flesh.
We benefit by focusing on the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ as described in the Holy Gospel and elaborated in the teachings of the Church.
Sending You my fatherly blessing, I heartily greet You:
PEACE FROM GOD - CHRIST IS BORN! INDEED HE IS BORN! HAPPY AND BLESSED 2017 YEAR!
Your intercessor before the Christ-child,
+Father Sasa Turkic