the finest gift

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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”

still still night

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star light

star bright

star resting over the Cross this night

i wish i may

i wish i might

have only that which “is needful” in Thy sight

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the song below is  our family’s favorite version of silent night

the local youth choir where our kids sing recorded it with the Washington Symphobic Brass

at the concert, the composer told us he used a minor setting because he really wanted to capture the mystery of the Nativity

he nailed it

the mouths of babes

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let the children come to me

 

What do children have that we adults are missing? First of all, they have a capacity for wonder and innocent joy, which in adults is tainted by cynicism and sinfulness. Secondly, they are capable of complete trust, which ends up being choked by the thorns of adulthood. And thirdly, they possess absolute humility. These childlike characteristics— wonder, joy, faith, humility— should be our response to the Nativity.

Vassilios Papavassiliou

Meditations for Advent; Preparing for Christ’s Birth

 

This icon of “Let the Children Come To Me” was given to me from my mom (in law) just the other day… .

Several years ago – maybe in 2014 – our homeschool group met the iconographer who was writing this very icon (this is a replica).   At the time it was a huge canvas work in progress hanging on the wall of a building at our local monastery.

The iconographer gave our kids a great talk about iconography and this particular icon.

I’ll never forget when my youngest daughter who was 8 or 9 years old at the time – raised her hand and said “I don’t have a question – it’s just that I noticed that the people in icons never smile with their mouths – but they always smile with their eyes.”

This icon brought with it a wonderful memory and a good word back to me and I am truly grateful for the God timing of it all.

A few years prior I had two encounters with homeless people, who touched me very deeply, not only with their merciful words of abundant blessing, but with also the depth of their eyes – overwhelming me with the presence of the Love of God.  At the time I had wanted to stay with them, Ernie and Mariam, for longer than I did.

That Love,  which is the thread of Christ binding all humanity can only save the world if we cultivate it in our hearts.

If not now, then when?  Why not tend it this season of preparation for the Nativity?

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.

dance for joy

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“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and you shall call His name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

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On this day the virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to God, the Word ineffable, Who was before all the ages.

Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing the gladsome tidings;

with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him, Who is willing to be gazed on as a young Child,

Who before the ages is God.

(Kontakion in Third Mode)

it is not enough to celebrate Christmas

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“The Church prepares us for the Nativity by exhorting us to “bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8)

Repentance begins with humility, contrition, tears and Confession, but it does not end there.  The fruit of repentance is love and forgiveness, peace and unity.”

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“Holding fast to the law of love, let us embrace the intent of brotherly love, establishing peace with one another, and oneness of mind; for Christ the Giver of all peace is coming, bringing peace to all.”

Compline of the Forefeast-December 22

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Father Vassilios Papavassiliou

Meditations for Advent; Preparing for Christ’s Birth

be at rest and know that He is God

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“The same, true Son of God, Who was timelessly born before the Morning-star, now undergoes a second birth in time.  What is the Morning-star?

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It is the light that heralds the dawn.

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Before the appearance of the stars, before the creation of the world, before the beginning of time itself, the Son was begotten timelessly, eternally, everlastingly from the womb of God the Father.”

+ Elder Aemilianos of Simonopetra

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Just days before the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and all things are in hushed preparation for the mystery of the Incarnation.  Are we?

holy ones

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The word saints means holy ones and reminds us not only of the saints but also of God’s holy angels.  Like the angels the saints reveal the divinity of God

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The power, holiness and love of God are manifested in the splendor of the saints.  Every Saint in his or her own way, reveals Christ.   Every saint increases and augments the glory of Christ

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It is not possible to understand the glory of Christ apart from the glory of His saints

+ elder Aemilianos of Simonopetra