A strange and most wonderful mystery

Tonight all around the world Old Calendar Orthodox Christians, like myself and my family, will be going to church to celebrate Christ's birth. Ineffably (one of Orthodoxy's favorite words) the church becomes the cave where Christ was born; we become the shepherds and wise men come to glorify Him. The service says "Heaven and earth are united today, for Christ is born. Today has God come upon earth, and man gone up to heaven. Today for man's sake is seen in the flesh He who by nature is invisible" (Festal Menaion 263). We have been given the greatest gift possible: the gift of God's love for and mercy toward us. The paradoxical beauty of this feast, that He who is without time became part of time, points to the mystery of our faith.

Throughout the night we will refer to the prophets of the Old Testament, those who foretold the birth of Christ and the redemption of mankind. The patriarchs and righteous women of old are the lineage through which Christ was born to save us all, so we honor them as well. We sing the rich and ancient words that the Church gives us: "A strange and most wonderful mystery do I see: the cave is heaven; the Virgin the throne of the cherubim; the manger a room in which Christ, the God whom nothing can contain is laid. Him do we praise and glorify" (Festal Menaion 282).

In this great mystery of Christ's birth, we see His love for us. So let us say together:

Christ is Born!
Glorify Him!

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It's a Wonderful Life

"I wish I'd never been born."

The familiar line from the classic Christmas movie "It's a Wonderful Life". Have you ever thought that? Wondered if you've made a difference in a life? Figured that you could never make as big of an impact as George Bailey did? But, did you ever stop and think about it, looked at your life through different eyes Have you ever tried to look at your life as God does?

My "It's a Wonderful Life" experience happened over a month ago and I'm afraid it's not nearly as entertaining as George Bailey's. But, it's certainly made me stop and assess my life. I was talking to mom about my life. Bemoaning the fact that I didn't feel like I had accomplished anything. That I didn't make much of a difference in the lives of the people around me. Mom of course had encouraging words, she started pointing out things that I did that make a difference, and some of them I agreed with. I might not see a huge difference, but there are the little ones here and there. Like going into work everyday. I'm not a nurse, I don't save lives everyday, I merely feed people, smile and say 'Have a nice day!'. One day there was a benefit in town for a man who has a rare form of cancer. We had donated a bunch of food for the benefit and I was on the phone talking to the lady in charge of the benefit. She had some questions about picking it up and such. Before hanging up she told me that we were just wonderful. I believe the word she used was angels. We had made a difference in her life just by a simple act. What about you? It is possible that your smile changed someone's life yesterday. Yes it's possible that your life touches just as many people as George Bailey's did.

Here's another thought; what if you'd never become a Christian? If just a smile makes a difference, changes someone's day, or maybe even their life, can you imagine what a difference having God in your life makes for other people? The gift of Jesus in your life makes the difference. If Jesus had never been born, or decided to not get on the cross and die for our sins, we would all be lost. Stop and think about it. Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Take a moment to thank God for the gift of His son. And take a moment to look at your life through God's eyes. It truly is a Wonderful Life.

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While You Were Sleepin'

John 14:2-6 (ESV)

"In my Father's house are many rooms.
If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
"And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and will take you to myself,
that where I am you may be also.
"And you know the way to where I am going."
Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going.
How can we know the way?"
Jesus said to him,
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me."

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In the winter

Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone.

Those lines are from Christina Rossetti’s poem “In the Bleak Midwinter.” They’re so evocative of winter with its barrenness, its frozen landscape. I get cold quickly, so maybe it’s just me, but winter’s a hard time of year for me. I long for warmth and greenness and beauty: all the things that winter doesn’t have.

In short, I wish I were anywhere but here, in any time but this one.

And that’s how Rossetti starts her poem: with the earth hard as iron, water like a stone. It’s not where she ends, though. She goes on to say:

Our God, heaven cannot hold him,
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When he comes to reign;
In the bleak midwinter
A stable place sufficed
The Lord God incarnate,
Jesus Christ.

Into the midst of all of this barrenness, Christ came. Now, I know that the actual date of Christ’s birth is debated, but let’s lay aside that debate for the moment. Because the image of Christ coming into the midst of a world that is winter is true. He came and made all things full of life.

It’s kind of humbling, isn’t it? Here I am, complaining about my cold hands, and there’s Christ, the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, coming down and being born as a human, to save us all. Not just us, but all of creation. How awe-some is that?

So, maybe in this cold season I should stop complaining. Maybe I should start trying to make just a tiny bit of Christ’s warmth in this frozen world. Maybe I should do what Rossetti says: “Give my heart.”

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Christ is born

Today my family and I, since we follow the Julian or Old Calendar, celebrate the mystery of Christ’s Incarnation and birth. On January 6th, while most of the world is asleep, we get dressed and go out in the cold to church. There we celebrate the midnight Liturgy.

Because we observe the Nativity on January 7th our commemoration is free from the commercialism that surrounds December 25th. We are free to worship the new-born King rather than be assaulted by Santas or elves. There is a special quietness to the day which western Christmas lacks.

For most people, January 7th is just another day. But for a few it is much more than that. It is one of the Days, one of the moments when earth and heaven rejoice together. And we cry together, “Christ is Born! Glorify Him!”


Troparion and Kontakion (hymns) for Nativity

Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, has shone upon the world as a light of wisdom, for by it those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star to adore Thee, the Sun of Righteousness and to know Thee, the Orient from on high. O Lord, glory to Thee.

Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One. Angels and shepherds glorify Him; the wise men journey with a star. For to us is born a young Child, the pre-eternal God.

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Christmas Carols with a twist!

It's hard to believe that Christmas is less than a week away.  This year the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas seemed to just fly.  I thought we could start this week out with a little Christmas humor. The following Christmas songs were rewritten by our very own Deb.  They are only for the purpose of a joke, and not to be used for bashing guys, as an aid in pity parties, or to blame men for our singleness, or encourage lack of trust in the Lord, or hold marriage up as the answer to everything.  They are merely and only a joke and a lot of fun, so laugh away!!

Don't Rest You Merry Gentlemen
(to the tune of God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen)
Don't rest, you merry gentlemen, for we are in dismay,
Remember girls are waiting, been waiting everyday.
Oh save us from the Old-Maid's tower, we beg you, and we say,
"Bring tidings of courtship dear boy,
We employ! Bring tidings of courtship dear boy."

For others walked the aisle, and to the altar came,
My friend's engaged, and I'd love to bring tidings of the same!
Oh show so I can leave Old-Maidhood, and change my last name.
"Bring tidings of courtship dear boy,
We employ! Bring tidings of courtship dear boy."


Single Girls
(to the tune of Jingle Bells)
Single girls, single girls, single everyday.
Waiting oh so anxiously
For some young man to say,
"Marry me, marry me,
Nothing less will do!"
How I wish those single men
Would hurry with their move!

Dashing strong and tall,
With bright and smiling eyes,
My dreams are sure to fall,
If he won't make up his mind.
I guess I'll have to wait,
Until he comes forth bold,
What fun to be a blushing bride
At forty-five years old! Ohhhhh

Single girls, single girls, single everyday.
Waiting oh so anxiously
For some young man to say,
"Marry me, marry me,
Nothing less will do!"
How I wish those single men
Would hurry with their move!

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