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Eighteenth Day of Christmas Advent, Journey to Bethlehem, Part III

By Father John Parker The Angels are rejoicing and proclaiming the Good News.  The Magi, journeying from afar, bear their gifts foreshadowing the divinity, sovereignty, and humanity of Christ.  The shepherds, the first Jews to believe, explain what they have seen and heard, leading others, too, to wonder! As we make our way, as if in a spiral towards the center of Rublev’s Nativity, we are greeted by a strange pair.  A couple we wouldn’t

Tenth Day of Christmas Advent, Journey to Bethlehem, Part II

By Father John Parker What shall we offer Thee, O Christ, Who for our sakes hast appeared on earth as man? Every creature made by Thee offers Thee thank. The angels offer a hymn; the heavens a star; the wisemen gifts; the shepherds, their wonder; the earth, its cave; the wilderness, a manger.  And we offer Thee a virgin mother.  O pre-eternal God, have mercy on us! In my last post, we began our “Journey

Christmas Eve: The Fortieth Day of Christmas Advent

The persons who are involved in the story of Christ’s birth were all quite different. Mary and Joseph were humble travelers seeking a place of shelter. The shepherds were simple men of the land tending their flocks. The wise men were wealthy and aristocratic foreigners wandering in a strange land. Yet, each of them shared a common characteristic. They opened their hearts to the actions of the Lord who mysteriously led them to the village

Christmas Advent: The Thirtieth Day

The Russian Nativity Icon The Russian nativity icon vividly portrays the Christmas perspective of the Orthodox Church. Through symbolism and teaching about Gods incarnation (becoming human) the icon presents Christmas as a “feast of re-creation.” The word icon is a Greek word meaning “image” or “likeness.” The nativity icon is done in an art style dating back to the sixth century Byzantine Empire. Orthodox iconography is a purely idealistic art form. Through the Byzantine style