My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!
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HOMILY ON THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST
At the Savior's Nativity, the celestial herald declared to the shepherds, "Unto you is born this day a Savior, and this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manager" (St. Luke, Ch. 2). Perhaps someone may think that this is no great sign, for every new-born child is bound in swaddling. If the Angel, it could be said, had wished to prove to the shepherds that it was indeed Christ that had been born, he might have revealed some unusual portent, like the star that appeared to the Magi in the East, or the maiden in the sun, holding a child, which the sybil showed Augustus. However, if he regards with spiritual eyes the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, the onlooker must certainly agree that the mystery is wondrous indeed. This Infant by His birth shed upon the world the light of knowledge, which shines brighter than the stars or the sun. His swaddling bands are broader than the heavens, for they held Christ, the God Whom nothing can contain. Let us, then, turn our spiritual eyes to Christ's infancy, for He Who created the ages and ordained salvation for us before time began appeared as a child, wishing to renew our nature, which had grown old.
There may be some who think that Christ should not have come into the world as a babe, but as a grown man, basing themselves on David's words: "He, like a bridegroom coming forth from his chamber (that is, the womb of the immaculate Virgin), will rejoice like a giant to run his course" (Psalm 18). The Angel, however, said nothing about a giant but revealed to the shepherds that they would find a babe. If we meditate on Christ's infancy, we shall discover why the Angel did this. The Nativity of Christ was strange and altogether supernatural, unlike any ordinary birth, and His childhood was also wondrous, quite different from that of other little boys. Ordinary newborns are weak and know nothing about their surroundings. They are helpless until time passes, and they gain strength and understanding, but our Lord Jesus Christ was born All-Powerful and wise. The birth of such a babe, the Angel pointed out, is indeed an unprecedented miracle, and on this feast, the Holy Church, with the Prophet Isaiah, praises His strength and omniscience, hymning Him as "the Mighty God, Potentate, the Prince of Peace" (Isaiah, Ch. 9). It is said that the lion is known by its claws, and by the tips of His young claws, Christ, the Lion of Judah, was shown to be "the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in war" (Psalm 23). So great was the Newborn's power, that "Herod was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him" (Matthew, Ch. 2). The Child could not yet speak, but already He filled with terror those who dared pronounce His name. Persecutors tremble at the thought of Him, though He was still wrapped in swaddling; the thrones of kings were shaken, but He has still not been removed from the manger.
Galen, foremost among ancient physicians, is reputed to have said that men destined to achieve fame and glory, to become great rulers of renowned generals, are distinguished from childhood by their deeds and character...The gold, frankincense, and myrrh brought to Him from afar symbolized the wealth laid up for those who love Him. His troubling of Herod and all Jerusalem foretokened His triumph over death, the devil, and Hades. Angels and shepherds were stewards of the mystery of His Incarnation, and kings from the East worshiped Him, showing that authority over both the invisible world and the visible world is conferred upon His human nature, as He Himself says: "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew, Ch. 28). David foretold that "all kings of the earth shall worship Him" (Psalm 71), and today we see the beginning of the prophecy's fulfillment, for three temporal kings honor the King of kings with gifts and adoration.
Christ's swaddling bands mystically represent plaster covering the wounds of our sin; they are handkerchiefs that wipe the tears from our eyes. They bind us to God in the tightest, the most inseparable union of love.
The manger in which the Child is laid also has mysterious significance. Theodorius writes: "Gaze upon the lowly abode of Him Who adorns heaven; behold Him Who sits upon the Cherubim resting in a manger. Seeing His poverty here below, reflect upon His wealth on high. God the most merciful has impoverished Himself to enrich us. The Heavenly King is placed in a feed trough to provide us with an example of voluntary humility and non-acquisitiveness." Likewise, Saint Cyprian teaches us: "He is laid in a manger so we may cease living like animals, and no longer consume the hay of sin's sweetness, but fare on the bread of heaven." And Theodosius says again, "God the Logos/Word is put in a manger so that rational and irrational creatures (that is, the righteous and sinner alike) may freely partake of the food of salvation."
Such, then, is the hidden significance of the manger, such the meaning of the Savior's coming into the world, which the Angel points out to the shepherds, saying, "Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger" (Luke, Ch. 2). Certainly, this is Great Mystery, consisting of numerous mysteries, as we have seen.
Unto the Divine Infant born for our sake be honor, thanks, and worship from all creation; and may the Most Pure, Most Blessed Virgin Mary, who gave birth to Him, be glorified and praised by all generations unto the ages. Amen. (Source: The Great Collection of The Lives of the Saints)
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" -- Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George