Detail of the Nativity Icon brings to mind the Nativity Kontakion (Short Hymn of a Feast):
Today a Virgin giveth birth unto the Supersubstantial, and earth offereth a cavern to the Unapproachable, angels together with shepherds sing praises, the Wise Men journey on with the Star. For, for our sakes, God Who is before all the ages, is born a little Child. ~ 5th Century St. Romanus the Melodist
May the Light of Bethlehem’s Star 🌟 continue to illumine and warm our hearts on this Bright Feast of Christ’s Holy Nativity!
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
Happy First Day of Christ’s Nativity!
The 40 days leading up to Nativity, the period known as Advent, is a journey – where we
commemorate special events and prophesies that emphasize the link between the Old and
New Testaments. A number of prophets foretold of the Incarnation of Christ, and by hearing
their words and approaching Christmas in this way, we are able to see that the Incarnation of
Christ was not an abrupt intervention of the Divine, but was, rather, a culmination of a long
process foreseen and foretold of by many prophets of the Old Testament. During Advent, readings and hymns provide glimpses of the approaching day.
On the Eve of Nativity, the faithful gather to sing Compline and Matins, where the resounding
proclamation from the Prophet Isaiah’s “God is With Us!” is soon followed by the first
chanting of the full Nativity Canon. “Christ is Born”, one of the most beautiful hymns in
Orthodox worship, and sung while the faithful venerate the Icon of Christ’s Nativity.
With these words of Light and Joy on The First Day of Christmas, something changes in our
life, and in the very air we breathe. Thus, the Church announces the coming of Christ, the
Incarnation of God, and His entrance into the world for its salvation. Christ is Born. Today.
Now. Let us Glorify Him!
So begins the 12 days of Christmastide, the period called Sviatki (light and holiness) continues as we again – prepare our hearts, this time, to celebrate the coming feast of Holy Theophany; the Baptism of the Lord – on January 19 /6.
Meriġe CrÄ«stesmæsse is an ancient salutation from pre-12th century Old English, which meant a “Blessed Christ’s Mass (Liturgy).” Today, Meriġe CrÄ«stesmæsse has morphed into the joyful Holy Day (Holiday) Seasonal Greeting… Merry Christmas, or Happy Christmas. Orthodox Christians also greet each other with the ancient proclamation: Christ is Born, followed by the response, Glorify Him!
Thy Nativity O Christ our God, hath arisen upon the world as the Light of Wisdom. For at it, those who worshipped the stars, were, by a Star, taught to adore Thee. The Sun of Righteousness and to know Thee, the Orient from on high. O Lord, glory to Thee! ~ Nativity Tropar (Longer Hymn of the Feast) Composed by 5th century St. Romanus the Melodist
Christ is Born! Give ye glory! Christ comes from heaven meet ye Him! Christ is on earth be ye exalted, O all the earth sing unto the Lord, and sing praises in gladness O ye people, for He hath been glorified. ~
An essential part of celebrating Feast Days has always been singing. While there were many
ancient non-liturgical carols written for all feast and saints’ days, it is mostly Christmas Carols
which seem to have survived here in the west, and sung throughout the next Twelve Days of
the Nativity’s Afterfeast!
In keeping with the situation… Here’s a beautiful, a cappella Nativity Folk Carol, “Heaven and Earth” as recorded by our parish in 2014.Â
Each of the 12 Days of Christmas are full of deep meaning. Here are some…
Happy Second Day of Christmas! Â
On the day after the Nativity of Christ we celebrate the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God-Incarnate. Hymns point to her as the one through whom the Incarnation was made possible. Christ’s humanity – concretely and historically – is the humanity He received from Mary. Many Orthodox Carols include the Virgin Mary’s miraculous and wonderful role in her Son’s Birth.
Happy Third Day of Christmas!Â
Greetings on the Fifth Day of Nativity!
On the 5th Day of Christmas, December 29th, the Church commemorates the 14,000 Holy Innocent Infants murdered by the evil King Herod, when he sought in vain to kill the newborn Christ Child. “The Coventry Carol” is from one of the 14th century Medieval Mystery plays, and sung as a dirge by the mothers, a testament to the fulfillment spoken by the Old Testament Prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.”
God is truly with us, not only in the joy of Christmas, but also in all our life situations. He is with us when we go through trials and sufferings, He is with us in our joys and sorrows, and He is the one Who gives us peace, love, and hope. ~ Archbishop Mitrofan of Toronto, and Metropolitan of Canada (Serbian Orthodox Church)
4th Century Church of the Nativity, built over the Grotto where Jesus was born.
And so, the Nativity Hymns remind those praying how, during this memorable night, each creature hastened to bring its gift to the Saviour King: heaven – a star, the earth – a cave, the wilderness – a manger, the angels singing, the shepherds – worship, the Magi – gifts.  Therefore, we too should not come to Him “empty-handed”, but should bring to Him what is more valuable than anything else – our pure, believing hearts. For the high God has appeared on earth, in order to raise us up to Heaven! ~ Bishop Alexander Mileant