When the Homily is about Immunology

Christ is Born!

Christmas is here, and no matter what the renewed traffic, "after-holiday sales", television commercials, resumption of regular radio broadcasting might seem to imply the FEAST has only just begun!!!! This FACT sits well with us, because Christmas was so hectic that we welcome the next 12 days of relaxing and celebrating. There is still plenty of Abunadh left, so feel free to stop by.

One of the most kick-butt aspects of the Orthodox faith is the richness of her services. One could literally sit down with a service book and become overwhelmed with Orthodox theology. Some selections from Christmas Matins that I found particularly moving and intriguing:

How can a womb contain Him whom nothing can contain?
How can He remain in His Father's bosum, yet rest in His mother's arms?
It is His good pleasure to accomplish this!
Having no flesh, He purposely assumes it for our sake.
He who is becomes what He never was.
He shares our substance without forsaking His own nature.
Desiring to make us citizens of the world in high,
Christ, the only-begotten of the Father, is born on earth as a man.

Heaven brought the first fruits of the Gentiles as a gift for You;
A star summoned the wise men to the babe in the manger.
They were amazed to see neither throne nor scepter,
But only abject poverty.
What is more humble than a cave?
What is more lowly than swaddling clothes?
Yet the riches of Your divinity shone through all these.
O Lord, glory to You!

...though we were formed from dust, by this communion we are made divine!

Babylon plundered Zion, and captured all her royal wealth.
But now, with a guiding star,
Christ lures her treasure-laden wise men back to Zion


When it was time for Your coming on earth,
The first imperial taxation was held,
But You also tokk a census, O Lord,
Recording the names of all men who believe in Your birth.
You used the decree of Caesar for Your own end:
To make manifest Your timeless and eternal Kingdom!
Therefore we pay You our taxes, not with golden coind,
But with the riches of Orthodox theology...

Glorify Him!