THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 9

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 9

 HYMNS AND ODES OF THE PREFEAST 

     The following  hymns, are among those used during the prefeast  and  the Nativity of Christ, and anyone seeking the genuine  “Christmas spirit”, need look no further for it is totally expressed  in these hymns. These  hymns are filled with the spirit of Christmas and properly  prepare the faithful for the Nativity of Christ. Some  may hear these hymns in a different language miss some of the meaning.  Others may not grasp all the words during choir singing, and others may just find them helpful. It is good to understand the words of what is sung,  for it  benefits our souls. Orthodoxy music is not ordinary but is inspired due to its source in the Spirit. The hymnology of Orthodoxy has been created by many Saints, among them are: St. Romanos Melodos, St. John Damascene, St. Ephraim the Syrian, St. Joseph the Hymnwriter, St. John Koukouzelos, the Nun Kassiani.  Just reading these hymns will fill a believer with the sweetness of the birth of Jesus Christ.

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 8

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 8

DANIEL AND THE  THREE SERVANTS

Great are the achievements of faith!  

“In the fountain of  flames, as though refreshing water,
the holy three servants rejoiced. 

Prophet Daniel showed himself to be a shepherd 
of lions as if sheep.”

These holy men were Christians before Christ was born!
They were Christian martyrs before holy church martyrs.
They were baptized in fire before holy Baptism.
  They were filled with Holy Spirit before Pentecost
They were in the company of the Son of man before He became a man!
They radiated Christian virtues before Christianity.  

      Their faith and lives remain an example for all Christians, especially  martyrs.  Behold, before us are Daniel and his fellow three servants, Shadrach,  Mesach and Abednego also known as Ananias, Azarius and Mishael. The king sent out his decree demanding worship of his huge golden idol or being thrown into the fiery flames of the furnace. The three youths did not bow and this was reported to the king, who asked them if they did indeed refused to bow down. The three servants bravely and unhesitatingly defied Nebuchadnezzar, rejecting the command to bow down before his golden idol,  and thus the king consigned them to death in the fiery flaming furnace. (details below) Then O wonder of wonders, the flames were not burning them,  but were like a cool breeze as they stood rejoicing and chanting praises to the  God of heaven, and these hymns have been immortalized and are continuously sung in the Church.

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 7

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 7 

Every event leading to the Nativity or Birth of Jesus Christ is significant. Now drawing closer to the day of  Nativity of Christ or Christmas, we shall  witness the greatest birth ever to take place in the world,  never  to happen  again. The Most Holy Virgin is approaching to give birth to the Godman in Bethlehem of Judea. Eventually He will be known by many names throughout the world.  

   Among them are  Savior, King of kings, Lord of lords, the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, the Christ, the Head of the Church, the Bridegroom, and Judge of the living and the dead.  Just as the shining angels instructed the shepherds to go to the manger in Bethlehem, so they now instruct us to follow their example, by going to Bethlehem above and there celebrate the Feast with fear and joy!  After hearing the angels, the shepherds,  now filled with great joy and divine zeal, hastened to Judea to offer  homage to the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem.