The Nativity Kontakion

Today the virgin gives birth to the transcendent One;
and the earth presents a cave to the unapproachable One;
Angels with shepherds give Him glory;
Wisemen below a star as they journey to Him;
who is God from all ages yet for our sake is born as a little Child.

St. Nicholas is Coming to Town

At this time of year we’re going to see more and more of the commercialized version of the holy man of Myra, St. Nicholas. His actual feast day is December 6th. A great video explaining who St. Nicholas really was:

For further reading:

Calculating Christmas

The Pagan Origins of Christmas?

Christmas and “Pagan Origins”

Christmas in Ukraine

For those following the traditional Julian Calendar Christmas was this week. Here Orthodox Christians from the Carpathian region of Ukraine celebrate Christ’s birth:

[vimeo  http://vimeo.com/18563229%5D

Today All the Angels

Today all the angels in heaven exchange glad tidings and rejoice;and the whole creation singeth with joy for the Lord, Savior, born in Bethlehem. For the error of idols hath entirely disappeared, and Christ reigneth unto all ages.

God is with Us!

From the Great Compline of Nativity:

God is with us, give heed, all ye nations.
Be humbled, for God is with us.

…Give ear, all ye lands far off,
For God is with us!

God is with us, give heed, all ye nations.
Be humbled, for God is with us.

Ye mighty ones, be humbled;
Even if your strength returns,
Ye shall again be defeated,
For God is with us!

God is with us, give heed, all ye nations.
Be humbled, for God is with us.

Whatever conspiracy ye shall weave,
The Lord shall destroy it;
Whatever word ye shall speak,
It shall not stand even among ye,
For God is with us!

God is with us, give heed, all ye nations.
Be humbled, for God is with us.

We shall not hear your threat,
Nor shall we be disturbed,
We sanctify the name of our God
And we fear Him,
For God is with us!

God is with us, give heed, all ye nations.
Be humbled, for God is with us.

If I confide in Him,
He shall be my sanctification;
I shall confide in Him,
And I shall be saved by Him,
For God is with us!

God is with us, give heed, all ye nations.
Be humbled, for God is with us.

Behold, I will come with the children
The Lord has given me,
For God is with us!

God is with us, give heed, all ye nations.
Be humbled, for God is with us.

O nation which is walking in darkness,
Expect to see a great light,
For God is with us!

God is with us, give heed, all ye nations.
Be humbled, for God is with us.

Upon us who dwell
In the land of the shadow of death,
A great light shall dawn,
For God is with us!

God is with us, give heed, all ye nations.
Be humbled, for God is with us.

Indeed, unto us a child is born,
Unto us a Son is given,
For God is with us!

God is with us, give heed, all ye nations.
Be humbled, for God is with us.

And the government shall sit upon his shoulder
And his peace shall have no end,
For God is with us!

God is with us, give heed, all ye nations.
Be humbled, for God is with us.

And his name shall be called
Wondrous Counselor, Mighty God
Master, Prince of Peace,
For God is with us!

God is with us, give heed, all ye nations.
Be humbled, for God is with us.

Father of the world to come,
For God is with us!

Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son,
And to the Holy Spirit,
Now and ever,
And unto Ages of Ages, Amen.
For God is with us!

God is with us, give heed, all ye nations.
Be humbled, for God is with us!

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Bethlehem Today: From Market to Manger

Filmed just two weeks ago, an 11-minute continuous clip that starts downtown in Bethlehem‘s outdoor market and then goes down ancient narrow alleys all the way to Manger Square and into the Church of the Nativity, into the grotto, or cave, where Jesus Christ was believed to have been born.

[vimeo  http://vimeo.com/17626971%5D

Vespers of the Nativity of Christ

All creation beholds the descent of God and rejoices. The Magi bring gifts; heaven speaks by means of a star; and the angels give glory, while the shepherds sing with awe. The manger supports Him as though it were a fiery throne. Rejoice, O Mother who sees all these wonders.

You are the Light unto the revelation of the Gentiles. O my eternal Son, O ineffable Begotten One of the Unbegotten Father. You have come in the appearance of my likeness. You come in order to enrich mankind which is afflicted with the poverty that You took upon yourself. We praise your compassion, O Lord.

O Mother, you see me resting in your arms. Be happy, for I have come to take away the anguish of Adam which resulted from the wicked plotting of the serpent who tempted him. He was outside the joys of Paradise because he fell prey to corruption.

O Bethlehem, adorn yourself! Sing, O city of Zion! Rejoice, O wilderness! Be filled with joy because the star goes ahead into Bethlehem, announcing Christ who desires to be born. The cave receives Him who nothing can contain. The manger prepares to receive the eternal Life. Therefore, let us all sing and cry out: Christ God, You are now born for our sakes; have mercy on us and save our souls.

 

The Nativity of Christ Around the World

A Serbian Orthodox parish in Italy:

Nativity Vespers in Seoul, Korea:

From Pennsylvania, USA:

From Aleutian Orthodox Eskimos in Alaska: An historical silent film portraying their custom (originally from Ukraine) of “starring” — representing the journey of the 3 Wise Men:

Additional Christmas Nativity music can be listened to here.

Explanation of the Icon of the Nativity of Christ

A video explanation from Dismas:

Be Thou Ready, Bethlehem!

Apolytikion of the Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ
Fourth Tone
English translation by Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
—–
Be thou ready, Bethlehem, Eden hath opened unto all.
Ephratha, prepare thyself, for now, behold the Tree of Life
hath blossomed forth in the cave from the holy Virgin.
Her womb hath proved a true spiritual Paradise,
wherein the Divine and saving Tree is found,
and as we eat thereof we shall all live,
and not die as did Adam.
For Christ is born now
to raise the image that had fallen aforetime.