The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
The incomprehensible and inexplicable Nativity of Christ came to pass when Herod the Great was reigning in Judea; the latter was an Ascalonite on his fathers's side and an Idumean on his mother's. He was in every way foreign to the royal line of David; rather, he had received his authority from the Roman emperors, and had ruled tyrannically over the Jewish people for some thirty-three years. The tribe of Judah, which had reigned of old, was deprived of its rights and stripped of all rule and authority. Such was the condition of the Jews when the awaited Messiah was born, and truly thus was fulfilled the prophecy which the Patriarch Jacob had spoken 1,807 years before: "A ruler shall not fail from Judah, nor a prince from his loins, until there come the things stored up for him; and he is the expectation of the nations" (Gen.49:10).
Thus, our Saviour was born in Bethlehem, a city of Judea, whither Joseph had come from Nazareth of Galilee, taking Mary his betrothed, who was great with child, that, according to the decree issued in those days by the Emperor Augustus, they might be registered in the census of those subject to Rome. Therefore, when the time came for the Virgin to give birth, and since because of the great multitude there was no place in the inn, the Virgin's circumstance constrained them to enter a cave which was near Bethlehem. Having as shelter a stable of irrational beasts, she gave birth there, and swaddled the Infant and laid Him in the manger (Luke 2:1-7). From this, the tradition has come down to us that when Christ was born He lay between two animals, an ox and an ass, that the words of the Prophets might be fulfilled: "Between two living creatures shalt Thou be known" (Abbacum 3:2), and "The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his master's crib" (Esaias 1: 3).
But while the earth gave the new-born Saviour such a humble reception, Heaven on high celebrated majestically His world-saving coming. A wondrous star, shining with uncommon brightness and following a strange course, led Magi from the East to Bethlehem to worship the new-born King. Certain shepherds who were in the area of Bethlehem, who kept watch while tending their sheep, were suddenly surrounded by an extraordinary light, and they saw before them an Angel who proclaimed to them the good tidings of the Lord's joyous Nativity. And straightway, together with this Angel, they beheld and heard a whole host of the Heavenly Powers praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men" (Luke 2:8-14).
Partake in the true spirit of Christmas with Nativity ornaments and icons available on Orthodox Marketplace. Perfect stocking stuffers or gifts for children, godchildren, grandchildren, teachers, or families.
Ionian Village, the official international summer camping ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, is accepting staff applications for summer 2023. Applications are open from December 17, 2022 through January 17, 2023 online at www.ionianvillage.org.
This week, find insights about the upcoming Gospel reading where we learn about Jesus’ genealogy and His incarnation. But how is Jesus, God and Man?
Trisagion at the Archdiocese Chapel
Young adults ages 18 – 30’s are invited to register for 16th Annual Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Young Adult Winter Retreat in Lake Tahoe, January 13-16, 2023.
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Stewardship Ministry continues the monthly series “Equipping and Enriching Parish Life”.
The Department of Stewardship, Outreach and Evangelism welcomes the new book from Fr. Evan Armatas entitled Reclaiming the Great Commission.
Once again, I am delighted to be with you for the Delaware Valley Region Ambassador Awards Banquet. This annual event is truly a sign we are a community of servant-leaders, who bring their best to the mission of the Church. Whether through their professional lives, or their parish lives, the recipients of tonight’s Awards manifest the truth of the Gospel, and show that they are genuine Disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Without question, monasticism forms part of an ancient tradition within the Church. The monastic tradition embodies a well-defined and constant orientation and purpose. Regardless of whatever organizational features it assumed throughout history, monasticism remains in its essence unchanged. Inextricably linked to the historical evolution of the Church of Christ, monasticism provides a stable spiritual foundation of the Church’s engagement in the world, often acting as a counterweight to secularizing tendencies or doctrinal digressions. At the same time, monasticism presents an important witness and reminder of the true destiny of humankind, which is to be sanctified in Christ.