Nativity Ping. CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!
That's why I became a FR. You guys really know what Christmas is all about. Gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling. Have a blessed one.
On the Night of Nativity
St. Ephraim the Syrian
Pure is the present night, in which the Pure One appeared, Who came to purify us! Let our hearing be pure, and the sight of our eyes chaste, and the feeling of the heart holy, and the speech of the mouth sincere!
The present night is the night of reconciliation; therefore, let no one be wroth against his brother and offend him!
This night gave peace to the whole world, and so, let no one threaten. This is the night of the Most Meek One; let no one be cruel!
This is the night of the Humble One; let no one be proud!
Now is the day of joy; let us not take revenge for offences! Now is the day of good will; let us not be harsh. On this day of tranquility, let us not become agitated by anger!
Today God came unto sinners; let not the righteous exalt himself over sinners!
Today the Most Rich One became poor for our sake; let the rich man invite the poor to his table!
Today we received a gift which we did not ask for; let us bestow alms to those who cry out to us and beg!
The present day has opened the door of heaven to our prayers; let us also open our door to those who ask of us forgiveness!
Today the Godhead placed upon Himself the seal of humanity, and humanity has been adorned with the seal of the Godhead!
Make glad, O righteous!
Greatly rejoice, O heavens! O mountains, dance for joy!
Christ is born, and like the cherubim the Virgin makes a throne,
carrying at her bosom the Word made flesh!
Shepherds glorify the new-born Child!
Magi offer the Master gifts! Angels sing praises, saying:
“O Lord, beyond all understanding, glory to Thee!”
– Nativity Matins
Thank you dear Kolokotronis and to all Christian Freepers today! Merry Christmas!
Воистину родился!
Truly He is born!
If God had so tired of mankind, as in Genesis 6, might he rather have allowed the Jesus of the antisemitic Gospels to have become Christ, so to eventually open the founding of America?