the finest gift

drums of Kenya

parrumpapumpum

heartbeat and offering

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These drums sit in a Church in the Diocese of Meru and Mount Kenya.  I snapped this picture on our recent parish trip to Kenya.  As we approach the coming Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, these drums resonate deeply,

In the year prior to leaving for our trip, our parish priest told a story that during the passing of a collection tray in an African Church a woman placed the tray on the ground and stood in it.

Everyone her asked what are you doing? She replied “I have nothing to offer but myself”.   I can scarcely fathom the extraordinary depth of Grace and humility in that moment.

Truly that is anaphora -and offering –  and one to bear in mind that regardless of our wealth or deeds  – it is our whole heart and love God seeks and in return He offers the same.

These Kenyan drums recalled in my mind the song of The Little Drummer Boy – just a poor boy- he thought he had no gifts to bring that were fit to give a King – but he offered himself – his talent –  and so in that treasured Christmas song, it was only to that poor young boy that the Lord smiled.

 

this Nativity give thanks from your whole heart

eukharistia

and find that when His eyes rest upon your whole heart  that truly is the “finest gift we bring”


little lent

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“In the earliest Christian tradition, the Cross that bore Christ is the Tree of Life that, long hidden within the earth, sprang up from the rock of Golgotha.  Every tree that I plant and that I grow in my garden reminds me that the cross is my redemption, that the reward from my agony in the garden is the blossom of an everlasting rose.”

Vigen Gurioan

From the Cross Christ gave thanks.

Eukharistia.

He blessed it.

Life calls unto Life and Deep to deep leading us forward on our little Lent into Nativity.

Temperatures for many are dropping and we hope for beautiful snow and frost to blanket the earth.   Give us a white Nativity!   Yet do not be fooled by exterior seasons of weather – no matter how cold.  For the crystalline silver-white cold of winter melts into spring before the interiorly warm hidden beating heart vigil candles of Orthodox Christian pilgrims preparing whole hearts yes, our whole beings to receive the cherished promised God-man-babe, in Whom we all live and move and have our being.


wondrous feast of the Nativity of Christ

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Christ is born! Glorify Him!

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Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One,

And the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One!

Angels with shepherds glorify Him!

The wise men journey with a star!

Since for our sake the Eternal God was born as a Little Child!

Kontakion of the Nativity

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Merry Christmas!

Καλά Χριστούγεννα!

Joyeux Noël!

Fröhliche Weihnachten

შობას გილოცავთ!

счастливого Рождества!

Crăciun fericit!

Merry Christmas!


the silent descent of God

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This is the silent descent of God, His descent from the heavens into our hearts.

+ Elder Aemilianos of Simonopetra

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Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  and behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”

Luke 2:8-14


sweet praise

Psalms and Hymns

 

Psalmody is the ABC for beginners, progress for the more advanced, confirmation for the perfect, the voice of the Church. It makes festivals radiant; it creates mourning that is in accordance with God, for psalmody draws tears even from a heart of stone.

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Saint Ephraim the Syrian

 

Blessings as we usher in the Nativity Season

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Praise the Lord, for a psalm is a good thing;

Let praise be sweet to our God.

The Lord is building Jerusalem,

And He shall gather together the dispersion of Israel;

He heals the brokenhearted

And He binds up all their wounds.

He numbers the multitude of stars

And calls them all by name.

Great is our Lord, and great is His strength;

His understanding exceeds every measure.

The Lord raises up the gentle,

But humbles sinners to the ground.

Begin with thanksgiving to the Lord;

Sing to our God with the harp,

To Him who covers heaven with clouds,

Who prepares rain for the earth,

Who makes grass grow on the mountains

And the green growth for the service of men,

To Him who gives the cattle their food

And who gives food to the nestlings of ravens

When they call upon Him.

He shall not take pleasure in the strength of a horse,

Nor be pleased with the legs of a man;

The Lord is pleased with those who fear Him,

And with those who hope in His mercy.

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Psalm 146