Thursday, December 30, 2010

Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to the Flesh

Your Nativity, O Christ our God,
Has shone to the world the Light of wisdom!
For by it, those who worshipped the stars,
Were taught by a Star to adore You, the Sun of Righteousness,
And to know You, the Orient from on High.
O Lord, glory to You!
Basilica of Nativity, Bethlehem
The main sanctuary of Basilica of Nativity
Grotto of Nativity: the grotto in which Jesus was born
The icon nativity above the altar in the Grotto of Nativity
Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus Natus Est - Here of the Virgin Mary Jesus Christ was born
Site of the manger
Mural behind the altar above the manger site
An icon near the main sanctuary
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!
Entrance to Church of the Milking Grotto, where Mary nursed Jesus

The friary at Milking Grotto




Christ is born, give ye glory.
Christ cometh from heaven, meet ye Him.
Christ is on earth, be ye exalted.
O all the earth, sing unto the Lord,
And sing praises in gladness, O ye people,
For He hath been glorified.
Mural icon of nativity at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Bethany Beyond the Jordan, Jordan
Mosaic icon of infant Jesus at St. George Orthodox Church in Madaba, Jordan

As we continue to celebrate Christ's incarnation, let us meditate this great mystery with these Byzantine Christmas hymns: Your Nativity, O ChristToday the Virgin, and Christ is born.

Your Nativity, O Christ:

Today the Virgin:

Christ is born: