Σήμερα που ο Κύριός μας Ιησούς Χριστός αγιάζει τα ύδατα, ας αγιάσει και τις δικές μας ψυχές. 🕊️🌊 Εύχομαι το Φως Του να μας οδηγεί πάντα στο καλό, χαρίζοντάς μας υγεία και ειρήνη. Καλή Φώτιση σε όλους!☦️
🔸 December 25 - The Nativity of our Lord 🔸
Today, we celebrate the joyous Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The celebration of this Great Feast emphasizes the mystery of the Lord’s incarnation in the flesh, and commemorates the divine humility and love revealed in His birth. It marks the beginning of God’s redemptive work in the world, bringing salvation to humanity.
The incomprehensible mystery of Christ’s birth to the Most Holy Theotokos came to pass when Herod the Great was reigning in Judea. He had received his authority from the Roman emperors, and had ruled tyrannically over the Jewish people. The tribe of Judah, which had reigned of old, was deprived of its rights and stripped of all rule and authority.
When the 9 months of the conception of the Theotokos was near its end, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus for a census to take place. Therefore, Joseph the Betrothed went with the Theotokos to Bethlehem in order to be registered there. But due to the multitude of people gathered there, there was no place for them in the inn. And so they entered a small cave near Bethlehem.
Sheltered amidst a stable of livestock, she gave birth there, and swaddled the Infant and laid Him in the manger, a feeding trough for animals, symbolizing His humble entrance into the world. Tradition holds that Christ lay between two animals, an ox and a donkey, fulfilling the words of the Prophets:
“Between two living creatures shalt Thou be known” (Abbacum 3:2) and “The ox knoweth his owner and the donkey his master’s crib” (Isaiah 1:3).
Nearby, shepherds are visited by an angel who announces the birth of the Messiah. They rush to the stable to see the newborn Child and glorify Him. Later, the Magi, or Wise Men from the East, follow a star that leads them to Bethlehem. They bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor the Newborn King.
Christ is born, Glorify Him!