In the Christian tradition, the star of Bethlehem, also called the Christmas Star, revealed the Birth of Jesus to the Magi or "Wise Men", and later led them to Bethlehem. The star appears in the Nativity story of the Gospel of Saint Matthew, where Magi "from the east" are inspired by the star to travel to Jerusalem. There they meet king Herod of Judea and ask where the King of the Jews had been born. Herod, following a verse from the Book of Micah interpreted as a prophecy, directs them to Bethlehem, a nearby village. The star leads them to the humble cave "lying in a manger" (St. Luke 2:12).

I cannot begin to tell you how very important and necessary are the Parish Ministries. Our Holy Orthodox Church in addition to its Liturgies, Sacraments, and various Prayers such as the Hours, Morning (Orthros) and Evening (Vespers), also has special services known as blessings i.e., Artoklasia (lit. "breaking of bread'), baking the prosphora (bread of oblation) for the Divine Liturgy, and the preparation of Koliva.

The words of the prophets concerning "the day of the Lord' are vivid and powerful. To escape the wrathful judgment of our sinfulness, repent and "call upon the name of the Lord" with faith (Jl 2:32) and "in fear and trembling" (Ph. 2:12). Only then will we stand a chance of being saved from final condemnation and eternal separation from our Heavenly Father on the great and dreadful Day of Judgment.

Then, therefore, the Merciful and Almighty Savior so arranged the commencement of His human course as to hide the power of His Godhead, the crafty foe was taken off his guard and he thought that the nativity of the Child, Who was born for the salvation of mankind, was as much subject to himself as all others are to their birth. For he saw Him crying and weeping, he saw Him wrapped in swaddling clothes, subjected to circumcision, offering the sacrifice which the law required. Meanwhile, he inflicted insults, poured upon Him all the force of his fury. The unscrupulous thief persisted in assaulting Him, and went beyond the bond, and required the punishment of iniquity from Him in Whom he found no fault.

Our Savior, dearly-beloved, was born today (Christmas day): let us be glad. For there is no proper place for sadness, when we keep the birthday of the Life, which destroys the fear of mortality and brings to us the joy of promised eternity. No one kept from sharing in this happiness. There is for all one common measure of joy, because as our Lord, the destroyer of sin and death, finds none free from the charge, so He comes to free us all. Let the saint exult in that he draws near to victory.

The Logos/Word became flesh; that is, the Son of God, co-eternal with God the Father and with the Holy Spirit, became human -- having become incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. O, wondrous, awesome and salvific mystery! The One Who has no beginning took on a beginning according to humanity; the One without flesh assumed flesh. God became man -- without ceasing to be God.