Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
In his Nativity Sermon, Saint John Chrysostom proclaims:
“I behold a new and wondrous mystery! My ears resound to the Shepherd’s song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full force a heavenly hymn. The Angels sing! The Archangels blend their voices 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 up.”
And so, dear and faithful Orthodox Christians, since the Feast of Nativity began three days ago, our voices have also been joined with the Angelic Choirs giving glory to Our Saviour Jesus Christ. And today on the Feast of Saint Stephen let us resolve to continue praising Christ each day until until the next Great Feast of Theophany a few days from now. Asking Him to come into our hearts and enlighten us and bless us all.
You can listen to a recording from St Nicholas Cathedral of the Kontakion hymn for the Nativity of Christ here.
Saint John Chrysostom encourages and instructs us at Nativity to consider the gifts of the Magi and how we should come before Our Saviour. He says, “Approach, then, bringing gifts – not gifts like the Magi brought but ones that are much more solemn. They brought gold; you must bring temperance and virtue. They brought incense; you must bring pure prayers which are spiritual incense. They brought myrrh; you must bring humility and a humble heart and love.”
His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory, the Locum Tenens of Toronto sends fatherly blessings upon us all and greetings for the Feast!
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
Father Anthony