St. John of Kronstadt
Rating: 10|Votes: 7
This song to the incarnate God, the Infant Christ, was sung by the angelic hosts on earth at His Nativity. It is a brief song, but its meaning and significance are wise and full of substance. In it is contained and revealed to us the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God for the salvation of the world. This mystery, in the words of the Church, amazed all the angelic powers. But where is this peace on earth, which the angels announced to the Bethlehem shepherds?
On this radiant and joyful feast of the Nativity in the flesh of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ I cordially greet you all, my dear ones. On this light-bearing night together we prayerfully echo the doxology of the angels, proclaiming ‘great joy to all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour’ (Lk 2:10-11).
Fr. Sergius Chetverikov, St. Ambrose of Optina
Rating: 10|Votes: 1
Wisdom seekers in the Lord! By the mercy and long-suffering of God we are once again reaching the yearly time of the Feast of Christ's Nativity. Instead of the usual simple greetings with the Feast, I want to say a few words to you about the great Mystery of this glorious Feast.
Nun Euphemia (Paschenko)
When the man stopped playing, she walked up to the gathering and said that she wanted to sing, "Because today is the Nativity of Christ." Without waiting for an answer, she began to sing a little song in her trembling, aged, but pure voice.
While many of us are packing away ornaments and throwing out holiday leftovers, another Christmas and another new year are about to descend. On Thursday and Friday, Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian calendar will celebrate Christmas. A week later, they will mark the new year.