TO ALL OF OUR ORTHODOX FRIENDS: A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

http://216.239.37.100/search?q=cache:WIk8fnsEbWkC:www.collegebaptist.org/sermon/12.23.01.html ^ | Matthew 2:1-12.

[Liz]

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.

Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Matthew 2:1-12.

[maestro]

Your# 54).................MERRY CHRISTMAS RUSSIA.....................BTTT

[eleni121]

Merry Christmas on the birth of the Savior - the Son of God, the Promise fulfilled!

[branicap]

If I didn`t know you,I would call your question stupid!

Yes,they know.And,they will cel;ebrate it in grater and grater numbers every year.Despite the fact that almost 700 000 Orthodox Christians will not celebrate Christmas in their ancestral homes!

Happy Christmass to you dear Irish friend.Dont worry,a Pope will turn a blind eye if you have a drink today!

[Incorrigible]

Just making a vague reference to the 1984 #1 pop hit "Do they know it's Christmas" by Band Aid regarding the famine in Africa.

Seemed apropos for a war-torn Yugoslavia.

I'll hoist a few for reconciliation and Christian unity in our lifetimes!

[Liz]

Same to you.

[branicap]

I know,I know!Very nice song,heard her a few times a few days ago!

And,very applicable for some peoples in Balkans!

Hoist one for me,and my little boy Callum,he is half Irish!

[don-o]

A quick "Christ is Born" especially to my old calendar Orthodox brothers and sisters. And also to all who chance on the thread.

We drive 75 miles one way to our parish. Stayed from Sunday until today.

Had a large time.

More later, maybe. Gotta run the boy to his karate class.

[No Truce With Kings]

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

[katnip]

Thanks for the ping.

Merry Christmas to all our Russian Orthodox friends!

'Rejoice, be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you ' (2 Cor 13:11).

[Liz]

....Rejoice, be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace.......

Sounds like what we do on Free Republic.

[drew]

At least once a year they hold it "out in the open".

Interesting. I've never seen it done in the open, but then I realize there are variations amongst the different Orthodox churches. Cheers.

[OldCorps]

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Troparion of the Feast, 4th tone:
Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, * hath shined upon the world the light of knowledge; * for thereby, they that worshipped the stars * were taught by a star * to
worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, * and to know Thee, the Dayspring from on high. * O Lord, glory be to Thee.

Kontakion of the Feast, 3rd tone:
Today the Virgin giveth birth to Him Who is transcendent in
essence; * and the earth offereth a cave to Him Who is unapproachable. * Angels with shepherds give glory; * with a star the Magi do journey; * for our sake a young Child is
born, Who is pre-eternal God.

"At least once a year they hold it "out in the open"".

I think this is a reference to Bright Week after Pascha, when all the doors to the altar are left open. So yes, at this time the laity are able to see the consecration of the gifts.

Happy Feast of Nativity to all Orthodox Christians.
In Christ,
Rdr John

[maestro]

N.B.,.......post# 50).....................BTTT

Merry Christmas!