The Nativity Sermon of St. John Chrysostom

BEHOLD a new and wondrous mystery. My ears resound to the God’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 had the power, He descended, He redeemed; all things yielded 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.

And so the kings have come, and they 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.

Since this heavenly birth cannot be described, neither does His coming amongst us in these days permit of too curious scrutiny. Though I know that a Virgin this day gave birth, and I believe that God was begotten before all time, yet the manner of this generation I have learned to venerate in silence and I accept that this is not to be probed too curiously with wordy speech. For with God we look not for the order of nature, but rest our faith in the power of Him who works. What shall I say to you; what shall I tell you? I behold a Mother who has brought forth; I see a Child come to this light by birth. The manner of His conception I cannot comprehend. Nature here rested, while the Will of God labored. O ineffable grace! The Only Begotten, Who is before all ages, Who cannot be touched or be perceived, Who is simple, without body, has now put on my body, that is visible and liable to corruption. For what reason? That coming amongst us he may teach us, and teaching, lead us by the hand to the things that men cannot see. For since men believe that the eyes are more trustworthy than the ears, they doubt of that which they do not see, and so He has deigned to show Himself in bodily presence, that He may remove all doubt.

Christ, finding the holy body and soul of the Virgin, builds for Himself a living temple, and as He had willed, formed there a man from the Virgin; and, putting Him on, this day came forth; unashamed of the lowliness of our nature’. For it was to Him no lowering to put on what He Himself had made. Let that handiwork be forever glorified, which became the cloak of its own Creator. For as in the first creation of flesh, man could not be made before the clay had come into His hand, so neither could this corruptible body be glorified, until it had first become the garment of its Maker.

What shall I say! And how shall I describe this Birth to you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment. The Ancient of days has become an infant. He Who sits upon the sublime and heavenly Throne, now lies in a manger. And He Who cannot be touched, Who is simple, without complexity, and incorporeal, now lies subject to the hands of men. He Who has broken the bonds of sinners, is now bound by an infants bands. But He has decreed that ignominy shall become honor, infamy be clothed with glory, and total humiliation the measure of His Goodness.

For this He assumed my body, that I may become capable of His Word; taking my flesh, He gives me His spirit; and so He bestowing and I receiving, He prepares for me the treasure of Life. He takes my flesh, to sanctify me; He gives me His Spirit, that He may save me.

Come, then, let us observe the Feast. Truly wondrous is the whole chronicle of the Nativity. For this day the ancient slavery is ended, the devil confounded, the demons take to flight, the power of death is broken, paradise is unlocked, the curse is taken away, sin is removed from us, error driven out, truth has been brought back, the speech of kindliness diffused, and spreads on every side, a heavenly way of life has been planted on the earth, angels communicate with men without fear, and men now hold speech with angels.

Why is this? Because God is now on earth, and man in heaven; on every side all things commingle. He became Flesh. He did not become God. He was God. Wherefore He became flesh, so that He Whom heaven did not contain, a manger would this day receive. He was placed in a manger, so that He, by whom all things arc nourished, may receive an infant’s food from His Virgin Mother. So, the Only Begotten Son, Who is before all ages, as an infant at the breast, nestles in the virginal arms, that the Magi may more easily see Him. Since this day the Magi too have come, and made a beginning of withstanding tyranny; and the heavens give glory, as the Lord is revealed by a star.

For this is all my hope!This is my life! This is my salvation! This is my pipe, my harp! And bearing it I come, having from its power received the gift of speech, I too, with the angels sing: “Glory to God in the Highest,”and with the shepherds: “and on earth peace to men of good will.”

“Don’t Pre-celebrate Christmas.”

Fr. Andrew George (of the Greek Archdiocese)

The Nativity Fast (Advent Season), which begins for us on November 15 (November 28 old style), is a time for anticipating the “Good News” of the Lord’s Birth. As with all things in life, Scripture reminds us that we must be careful to be “in the world, but not of the world.” This is especially true of the celebration of Christmas. Many lament that the stores are decorated for Christmas from the end of October—an example of the overstressing and “early-stressing” of this great Christian Holy Day. But what do we do in our homes? I have noticed that on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, people begin to put up their Christmas trees and lights.

Our Orthodox Advent tradition gives us some guidelines of which many of us, perhaps, are not aware. Within this 40-day preparation period, a slow progression of events unfolds. This is seen in the general attitude, hymnology, prayers, and fasting practices which begin to intensify on the Feast of St. Nicholas (Dec. 6) and progress through the feasts of St. Spyridon (Dec. 12), St. Herman (Dec. 13), Prophet Daniel (Dec 17), and St. Ignatius (Dec. 20). This last feast is specifically called “the day of preparation.” What do you think this tells us? Add to this the tradition of the “Twelve Days of Christmas” that begins on Christmas Day and runs to January 5, the day before Theophany, the next Great Feast. The “food fast” is most intense during the 12 days preceding Christmas, and there is no fasting during the 12 days after Christmas, not even on Wednesday or Friday! Again, what do you think this tells us?

It is interesting to note that, historically, we do not have an exact date for Jesus’ birth. The date of His Nativity was specifically selected by the early Church to coincide with pagan celebrations held in late December. These celebrations were riotous and foolish in nature, unbecoming for a follower of Christ. Thus, this date had a dual purpose: (1) to mark the Lord’s coming to earth as a man, and (2) to do it at a time which would help defeat an attitude and lifestyle which went against the Lord’s teachings. The early Church leaders knew that these Christians struggled with the temptation to return to their former ways. Once again, what would you think this tells us?

The Orthodox tradition is clearly not to “pre-celebrate” Christmas, but rather to withhold the celebration until the designated time. Once it arrives, we are to celebrate it joyously, not with overly riotous activity as did the pagans. Some 40 or 50 years ago here in America, people decorated their Christmas trees on Christmas Eve. Slowly, through the influence of merchants and media, we started to put up our decorations and trees earlier and earlier each year. As a result, we take them down earlier and earlier, not waiting for the Theophany observances of January 5-7, which are specifically part of the 12 day cycle beginning of Christmas.

Every year, there are more and more parties held during the height of the Christmas Fast, instead of during the festive period from December 25—January 7. On the day after Christmas, we hear people say, “Christmas is over,” and the Christmas trees are put out on the curb. Since they have pre-decorated and pre-celebrated and feasted, in their minds, “it is over”—when really, it should be just beginning.

I offer the following practical applications of our Orthodox theology and practice:

• Do decorate, but don’t pre-decorate. Use the December 6-20 guide as a starting point.
• Do celebrate, but don’t pre-celebrate, use the December 25-January 5 timeframe for your festivities.

The Scriptures instruct us: “In all things, be not like the pagans, but rather calm, joyful in praise, and giving of love to glorify Christ who came for us.” Since we Christians are called to be “in the world, but not of the world,” we are to transform the world and not have the secular world transform us. Secularism has crept into our Christmas observances. It is up to us to purify the celebration. This begins with our families, our households, doing the more proper and fitting things and, by example, teaching others to do likewise. I urge you to plan for a Christmas observance that will hold true to our Orthodox view and pattern for celebration.

“Well done, my good children. Hospitality is one of the first Christian duties. The beast retires to its shelter and the bird flies to its nest, but helpless man can only find refuge from his fellow-creature. The greatest stranger in this world was He that came to save it. He never had a house, as if willing to see what hospitality was left remaining amongst us.”

The Vicar of Wakefield

Hospitality has been on my mind as of late—most likely due to all the planning surrounding Rachel and Miguel Angel’s wedding and the coordination of hospitality for the many out of town guests. Much was brought together in preparation for this beautiful day, and many were involved in providing a warm welcome to both personal and cultural strangers. And in the end, after the hospitality was extended, we found that we are not really strangers after all, but truly brothers and sisters in Christ.

Every October we are asked by the Archdiocese to remember our youth and to rededicate ourselves to the sacred ministry of raising God-pleasing children, in the hope and manner that the children entrusted to our stewardship will grow to be God-pleasing men and women. While this seems a most obvious goal for any Christian parent, Godparent, Grandparent, and other relatives and friends, I am skeptical that many today—even Orthodox Christians—are convicted and willing to enforce the needed direction and consistent discipline to accomplish this end. I know this is a delicate subject, and as a father of one and the father of many I can attest to the fact that there is little if any consensus on Orthodox Christian child-rearing; it is not my intention here to present a “one right way” to raise children.

The burden of our youth is one that has weighed heavily on my heart since our Lord mercifully woke me up from spiritual slumber during my college years. I was lulled asleep by many of the same forces that are acting upon our youth today; only today I believe these same forces are exponentially stronger. What words would one use to describe today’s youth culture: active, entertained, scheduled, busy, electronic, comfortable, self-interested, passive, amoral, sexual, a-religious, carefree, moody, bored, disconnected, materialistic, impatient, segregated, lonely, ambivalent, ambitious? What is most intriguing to me is the passivity with which many adults today—even priests—demonstrate in detecting and fighting against the negative influences of “youth culture” attacking our own children! One priest with whom I had a challenging conversation many years ago told me that I shouldn’t worry so much about our kids when they quit coming around late in high school and through their college years. He concluded by saying, “They’ll come back when they get married and start having children.” I still feel sick when I think about the spiritual ignorance and irresponsibility of this attitude!

As a parent of a six year old I have a long way to go before it can be determined whether or not I have “managed my household well and kept my child submissive and respectful in every way” (1 Timothy 3:4); I am aware that the challenge before both Kh. Vanessa and me, like all parents, is a great one! Nevertheless there are a few points of child-rearing that I believe can be stated clearly: 1) I cannot be afraid that my child might resent me when I demand certain things of him or discipline him with love. 2) Prayer is more effective than words, action more valuable than intention. 3) Children have the capacity to achieve very high standards of expectation, and we sell them short every time we compromise because we do not want to press them or because we’re exhausted from all of e’s demands. 4) Children should never be allowed to use the word “bored” and we have a great responsibility to keep them engaged and far from the temptations of despondency and laziness. Isn’t it interesting how these points pretty much require constant parental involvement and vigilant leadership?

There are many starting points to nurturing this right spirit in our children, but I believe thatpractical, hands-on serving may be the most beneficial, especially the virtue of hospitality where our children are taught directly how to come out of themselves by serving others. “He who grasps that charity is an active virtue, not a passive one, and begins to fulfill it after this manner, will soon find that heaven and earth reveal themselves to him in many colors. He will soon come to know both God’s charity and man’s. Charity is the striking of stone with stone that always produces a spark. He who strikes this blessed spark and he who receives it will both feel God’s presence with them. At that moment, they feel God’s caressing hand on both their hearts” (St. Nikolai Velimirovic).

I am still very hopeful that the generations placed in our care can be raised in faith and remain faithful their entire lives. Our dedication to this divinely consecrated ministry, as 19^th century author, Charlotte Mason, put it, is as important as that of the bishop! Ours is an inspired work of inspiring our children to the love of God and neighbor, and to recognizing the beauty of this world and this life—not in the base allurements of sensual materialism, but rather in the heights of heavenly brilliance! Ours is the inspired work of helping our children understand God’s hospitality towards us, and to nurture in them a thankful response and a conviction to love! May the virtue of hospitality be more diligently sought after by each and every one of us, for the love of our neighbor, for the sake of our children and for the glory of God!

“We should live through difficulties and tragedies and see them all as opportunities for prayer, for approaching God. That’s the secret: how the man of God will transform everything into prayer. St. Paul means this when he says, ‘I rejoice in my sufferings,’ in all the tribulations he encountered. This is how sanctification takes place. May God grant this to us. I ask for this fervently in my prayer.”

Elder Porphyrios

Recent events of tragedy and suffering in the lives of those close to my heart have affected me deeply. These words are not specifically intended for them, but they are felt as a general and loving response to the inevitable question, “Why?” I believe it takes a certain understanding of the development of our contemporary social climate in order to answer this question.

I do not believe my generation is interested much in suffering. The generations that have given rise to modern and post-modern societies have had a different aim in mind: material security and ease of life. And thus one of the greatest tragedies of the individual experience of tragedy in the post-modern society is that many of us today are completely unprepared to suffer even to the smallest degree.

It has been twenty years since my last living grandparent passed away. I believe they lived in a time prior to the combustible engine, electrical power grids, penicillin and indoor plumbing. My father’s parents were children whose older relatives fought in the American Civil War and my mother’s parents lived under the Turkish occupation of the Balkan states. They all lived through two world wars and the Great Depression. These and other experiences of my grandparent’s lives lead me to believe that they probably were not na

“The grace of the Spirit has enlightened the Apostles of Christ; He has fearfully come down from heaven and set them on fire.”

Tuesday Matins of Pentecost Week

We are indeed blessed to have a longer Apostles Fast this year. Practically speaking, it is simply impressive that Orthodox Christians are directed to make a serious fasting effort to begin the summer. In the land of baseball, bratwurst and the Beach Boys, where “feeling the good vibrations” of summer is the norm, we’re being charged to do what? In America? Right!!!

I must honestly admit that the old man in me looks with a hopeful eye to next year’s Church calendar, hoping that the month of June isn’t solid pink like it is this year! Whatever it may be, the length of the Apostle’s Fast is directly related to the date of Pascha. When Pascha falls after late April there will be little or no Apostle’s Fast; however, when Pascha falls in early April we could have four to five weeks of fasting leading up to the feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29^th. This year we have four weeks, and while the old man in me struggles, the new man in me sees the self-centeredness, immoderation and immodesty of our “good vibration” society and recognizes with full conviction the absolute and urgent need for fasting. For this particular fast challenges head-on the passionate nature of summer and the spirit of this world, which can be summed up by a quote from a popular contemporary pop-culture artist (whose name slips me at the moment),“All I want to do is have some fun.”

Last month I wrote about what it means to be a Christian. To whom do we look to find the greatest examples of those who have followed Christ? Without equivocation we look to the saints; most especially to the most holy Theotokos, St. John the Baptist and to the Holy Apostles, led by the foremost of the Apostles, Saint Peter and Saint Paul. It is almost beyond comprehension when we consider how the Lord chose His Apostles, His beloved. It is even more awe-inspiring when we contemplate the response of these simple but zealous men and how they ended their earthly lives: Peter was crucified upside-down.

Andrew was crucified. James was beheaded.

John the Theologian died in a wondrous way.

Philip was crucified. Matthew was burned by fire.

Bartholomew was crucified, then flayed and beheaded.

Thomas was pierced with five spears. Thaddeus was crucified.

James the Son of Alphaeus was crucified.

Matthias was stoned, then beheaded with an axe when dead.

Simon the Zealot was crucified. Paul was beheaded.

How is it that these simple men became so holy and selfless?—By the grace of the Holy Spirit. It was grace that prepared them to hear the Word, it was grace that sustained them in their time of fear, and it was grace that eventually rooted within them, on the great day of Pentecost, all that is True, leading them on the irreversible course of apostleship as ambassadors and witnesses to the kingdom of God.

“Come, follow Me” is all Jesus said to these men and they literally dropped what they were doing and followed Him. Our God’s invitation is indeed compelling. Nevertheless it took great courage for these men to do what they did, believing the radical story of the remarkable carpenter from Nazareth. Time with our Lord would eventually smooth out the rough edges of any misunderstandings, as these simple men learned little by little that the good news they were hearing had but one purpose: to bring salvation to man through love. These men, like many who heard Jesus speak, had a keen intuition in recognizing the authority in Jesus’ words. It didn’t take them long to discern the contrast of their God’s teaching to the darkness of sin and the hopelessness of death in the world. And though eventually the Disciples of Christ would have to learn, “We are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12), with great faith, they set their faces towards their own “contending”, wholly devoted to live and to die for the sake of the Gospel.

It is in this light that each of us must look at our own invitation to follow Jesus. Is there an intuition or discernment within us to recognize the authority of Jesus’ words? Do we see the spiritual warfare that intensely assaults our lives in this world? Do we understand the love that has been extended to us by God who sent His Son into the world to die for us in order that we might live in newness of life? Do we believe, as obedient followers of Jesus, that we also have been called to love as He loved, and that for the sake of this call we also must be ready for our own “contending” against sin, evil and death? Hopefully the answers to these questions are, “yes” and hopefully we are actively seeking the apostolic life to which we have been called.

Beloved, the same Spirit that enlightened the Apostles and “set them on fire” is present with us today calling us to faith, to obedience, to the arena of spiritual warfare, to a self-sacrificing standard of life and love. As we journey through this Apostle’s Fast, preparing ourselves to celebrate the Feast of Sts. Peter & Paul, we are once again preparing ourselves to respond to our Lord’s invitation, His calling to the apostolic ministry of God’s Church. To be a Christian is fundamentally apostolic, our failure to live up to this calling is a distressing sin. Jesus said, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37-38). This is something for each of us to measure ourselves against, and to make changes where changes need to be made! The Apostles were considered insane and foolish by the standards of the world; but to us they are heroic men whose lives, and deaths, are to be honored and emulated. They responded with self-abandonment and soulful-longing, with endurance and eloquence, with tears and uncompromising courage, with the commitment to love and the readiness to die. And for their response they received the fulfillment of our Lord’s promise, “Truly, I say to you, there is no man who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive manifold more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life” (Luke 18:29-30).

This is the season of Apostolic renewal; let us “Look carefully then how [we] walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17).