To those of you new to my blog in the past year, please look at my Christmas Photo Album by following the label.
Even those of you who have seen it before, a year since might have deepened your perspective of it...
Showing posts with label Christmas Photo Album. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas Photo Album. Show all posts
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Excerpt from 1600 yr old Christmas sermon
St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, born in Antioch, Syria lived from c. 347 to 407 and was famed for his preaching. Here is the first fifth or so of his Christmas morning sermon. So yes you are reading a Christmas sermon that is one thousand six hundred years old, spoken only a few hundred years after Jesus Christ lived.
I behold a new and wondrous mystery. My ears resound to the Shepherd's song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn. The Angels sing. The Archangels blend their voice in harmony. The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise. The Seraphim exalt His glory. All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man in heaven. He Who is above, now for our redemption dwells here below; and he that was lowly is by divine mercy raised.
Bethlehem this day resembles heaven; hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices; and in the place of the sun, enfolds within itself on every side, the Sun of Justice. And ask not how: for where God wills, the order of nature yields. For He willed, He had the power, He descended, He redeemed; all things move in obedience to God. The day He Who is, is Born; and He Who is, becomes what He was not. For when He was God, He became man; yet not departing from the Godhead that is His. Nor yet by any loss of divinity became He man, nor through increase became He God from man; but being the Word He became flesh, His nature, because of impassibility, remaining unchanged.
When he was born the Jews denied His extraordinary birth; the Pharisees began to interpret falsely the Sacred Writings; the Scribes spoke in contradiction of that which they read. Herod sought Him out Who was born, not that he might adore, but to put Him to death. Today all things proclaim the opposite. For they have not been, that I speak with the psalmist, hidden from their children, in another generation (Ps. lxxvii. 4). And so the kings have come, and they have seen the heavenly King that has come upon the earth, not bringing with him Angels, nor Archangels, nor Thrones, nor Dominations, nor Powers, nor Principalities, but, treading a new and solitary path, He has come forth from a spotless womb.
Yet He has not forsaken His angels, nor left them deprived of His care, nor because of His Incarnation has he departed from the Godhead. And behold kings have come, that they might adore the heavenly King of glory; soldiers, that they might serve the Leader of the Hosts of Heaven; women, that they might adore Him Who was born of a woman so that He might change the pains of childbirth into joy; virgins, to the Son of the Virgin, beholding with joy, that He Who is the Giver of milk, Who has decreed that the fountains of the breast pour forth in ready streams, receives from a Virgin Mother the food of infancy; infants, that they might adore Him Who became a little child, so that out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings, He might perfect praise; children, to the Child Who raised up martyrs through the rage of Herod; men, to Him Who became man, that He might heal the miseries of His servants; shepherds, to the Good Shepherd Who has laid down His life for His sheep; priests, to Him Who has become a High Priest according to the order of Melchisedech; servants, to Him Who took upon Himself the form of a servant that He might bless our servitude with the reward of freedom (Phil. ii. 7); fishermen, to Him Who from amongst fishermen chose catchers of men; publicans, to Him Who from amongst then named a chosen Evangelist; sinful women, to Him Who exposed His Feet to the tears of the repentant; and that I may embrace them all together, all sinners have come, that they may look upon the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world.
Since therefore all rejoice, I too desire to rejoice. I too wish to share the choral dance, to celebrate the festival. But I take my part, not plucking the harp, nor shaking the Thyrsian staff, nor with the music of the pipes, nor holding a torch, but holding in my arms the cradle of Christ. For this is all my hope, this is my life, this my salvation, this my pipe, my harp. And bearing it I come, and having from its power received the gift of speech, I too, with the angels, sing: Glory to God in the Highest; and with the shepherds, and on earth peace to men of good will.
This day He Who was ineffably begotten of the Father, was for me born of the Virgin, in a way no tongue can tell. Begotten according to His nature before all ages from the Father: in what manner He knows Who has begotten Him; born again this day from the Virgin, above the order of nature, in what manner knoweth the power of the Holy Spirit. And His heavenly generation is true, and His generation here on earth is true. As God He is truly begotten of God; so also as man is He truly born from the Virgin. In heaven He alone is the Only-Begotten of the One God; on earth He alone is the Only-Begotten of the unique Virgin.
...
From "The Sunday Sermons of the Great Fathers: A Manual of Preaching, Spiritual Reading and Meditation," Volume One, Translated and Edited by M. F. Toal, D.D., Ignatius Press, SF, 2000 (New Edition).
I behold a new and wondrous mystery. My ears resound to the Shepherd's song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn. The Angels sing. The Archangels blend their voice in harmony. The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise. The Seraphim exalt His glory. All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man in heaven. He Who is above, now for our redemption dwells here below; and he that was lowly is by divine mercy raised.
Bethlehem this day resembles heaven; hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices; and in the place of the sun, enfolds within itself on every side, the Sun of Justice. And ask not how: for where God wills, the order of nature yields. For He willed, He had the power, He descended, He redeemed; all things move in obedience to God. The day He Who is, is Born; and He Who is, becomes what He was not. For when He was God, He became man; yet not departing from the Godhead that is His. Nor yet by any loss of divinity became He man, nor through increase became He God from man; but being the Word He became flesh, His nature, because of impassibility, remaining unchanged.
When he was born the Jews denied His extraordinary birth; the Pharisees began to interpret falsely the Sacred Writings; the Scribes spoke in contradiction of that which they read. Herod sought Him out Who was born, not that he might adore, but to put Him to death. Today all things proclaim the opposite. For they have not been, that I speak with the psalmist, hidden from their children, in another generation (Ps. lxxvii. 4). And so the kings have come, and they have seen the heavenly King that has come upon the earth, not bringing with him Angels, nor Archangels, nor Thrones, nor Dominations, nor Powers, nor Principalities, but, treading a new and solitary path, He has come forth from a spotless womb.
Yet He has not forsaken His angels, nor left them deprived of His care, nor because of His Incarnation has he departed from the Godhead. And behold kings have come, that they might adore the heavenly King of glory; soldiers, that they might serve the Leader of the Hosts of Heaven; women, that they might adore Him Who was born of a woman so that He might change the pains of childbirth into joy; virgins, to the Son of the Virgin, beholding with joy, that He Who is the Giver of milk, Who has decreed that the fountains of the breast pour forth in ready streams, receives from a Virgin Mother the food of infancy; infants, that they might adore Him Who became a little child, so that out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings, He might perfect praise; children, to the Child Who raised up martyrs through the rage of Herod; men, to Him Who became man, that He might heal the miseries of His servants; shepherds, to the Good Shepherd Who has laid down His life for His sheep; priests, to Him Who has become a High Priest according to the order of Melchisedech; servants, to Him Who took upon Himself the form of a servant that He might bless our servitude with the reward of freedom (Phil. ii. 7); fishermen, to Him Who from amongst fishermen chose catchers of men; publicans, to Him Who from amongst then named a chosen Evangelist; sinful women, to Him Who exposed His Feet to the tears of the repentant; and that I may embrace them all together, all sinners have come, that they may look upon the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world.
Since therefore all rejoice, I too desire to rejoice. I too wish to share the choral dance, to celebrate the festival. But I take my part, not plucking the harp, nor shaking the Thyrsian staff, nor with the music of the pipes, nor holding a torch, but holding in my arms the cradle of Christ. For this is all my hope, this is my life, this my salvation, this my pipe, my harp. And bearing it I come, and having from its power received the gift of speech, I too, with the angels, sing: Glory to God in the Highest; and with the shepherds, and on earth peace to men of good will.
This day He Who was ineffably begotten of the Father, was for me born of the Virgin, in a way no tongue can tell. Begotten according to His nature before all ages from the Father: in what manner He knows Who has begotten Him; born again this day from the Virgin, above the order of nature, in what manner knoweth the power of the Holy Spirit. And His heavenly generation is true, and His generation here on earth is true. As God He is truly begotten of God; so also as man is He truly born from the Virgin. In heaven He alone is the Only-Begotten of the One God; on earth He alone is the Only-Begotten of the unique Virgin.
...
From "The Sunday Sermons of the Great Fathers: A Manual of Preaching, Spiritual Reading and Meditation," Volume One, Translated and Edited by M. F. Toal, D.D., Ignatius Press, SF, 2000 (New Edition).
Monday, December 22, 2008
Christmas Photo Album, gift from marymajor to you
Holidays are often the time when families pull out the family photograph albums and look at pictures together, admiring the new pictures and reminiscing about the old.
Here is marymajor’s photo album of Jesus Christ.
Sonogram: Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.” And the Angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38).
Birth: And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7).
Naming, Circumcision and Presentation: A man named Simeon… just and devout…the Holy Spirit was upon him…received…Jesus…into his arms and blessed God, saying, “Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace; because my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and a glory for thy people Israel.” (Luke 2:25-32).
School: And the child grew and became strong. He was full of wisdom and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40).
Twelve Years Old: Jesus…in the temple…And all who were listening to him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. (Luke 2:46).
Baptism: Now it came to pass when all the people had been baptized, Jesus also having been baptized and being in prayer, that heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form as a dove, and a voice came from heaven, “Thou art my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22).
Preaching: And coming down with them, he took his stand on a level stretch, with a crowd of his disciples, and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to listen to him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd were trying to touch him, for power went forth from him and healed all. And he lifted up his eyes to his disciples and said, “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:17-20).
With His Brethren: Now his mother and brethren came to him; and they could not get to him because of the crowd. And it was told him, “Thy mother and thy brethren are standing outside, wishing to see thee.” But he answered and said to them, “My mother and my brethren are they who hear the word of God, and act upon it.” (Luke 8:19-21).
Transfigured: And as he prayed, the appearance of his countenance was changed, and his raiment became a radiant white. And behold, two men were talking with him. And these were Moses and Elias, who, appearing in glory, spoke of his death, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:29-31).
With Martha and Mary: But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things; and yet only one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the best part, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42).
Raising Lazarus from the Dead: They therefore removed the stone. And Jesus, raising his eyes, said, “Father, I give thee thanks that thou hast heard me. Yet I know that thou always hearest me; but because of the people who stand round, I spoke, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.” When he had said this, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And at once he who had been dead came forth, bound feet and hands with bandages, and his face was tied up with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” (John 11:41-44).
Denouncing the Pharisees: But the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but within you are full of robbery and wickedness.” (Luke 11:39).
Denouncing the Lawyers: But he said, “Woe to you lawyers also! Because you load men with oppressive burdens and you yourselves with one of your fingers do not touch the burdens.” (Luke 11:46-47).
Traveling the Road: And he passed on through towns and villages, teaching and making his way toward Jerusalem. (Luke 13:22).
Blessing the Children: Now they were bringing the babes also to him that he might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them together and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for of such is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:15-16).
Curing the Blind Man at Jericho: And he said, “Lord, that I may see.” And Jesus said to him, “Receive thy sight, thy faith has saved thee.” And at once he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people upon seeing it gave praise to God. (Luke 18:41-3).
Cleansing of the Temple: And he entered the temple, and began to cast out those who were selling and buying in it, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house is a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of thieves.” And he was teaching daily in the temple. (Luke 19:46).
The Last Supper: And having taken bread, he gave thanks and broke, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is being given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19).
With the Comforting Angel: And there appeared to him an angel from heaven to strengthen him. And falling into an agony he prayed the more earnestly. (Luke 22:43).
Crucified: And Jesus cried out with a loud voice and said, “Father into thy hands I commend my spirit.” And having said this, he expired. (Luke 23:46).
Resurrected: Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them, “Peace be to you!” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore rejoiced at the sight of the Lord. He therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you! As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” When he had said this, he breathed upon them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.” (John 20:19-22).
Speaking with Peter: Peter was grieved because he said to him for the third time, “Dost thou love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee.” He said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17).
Ascension: Now he led them out towards Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them. And it came to pass as he blessed them, that he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. (Luke 24:50-53).
Stephen, First Martyr, sees Him: But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. (Acts 7:55).
He Appears to Saul: And as he went on his journey, it came to pass that he drew near to Damascus, when suddenly a light from heaven shone round about him; and falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me?” And he said, “Who art thou, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom though art persecuting. It is hard for thee to kick against the goad.” (Acts 9:3-5).
John sees Him in heaven during the Apocalypse: And I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands; and in the midst of the seven lamp-stands One like to a son of man, clothed with a garment reaching to the ankles, and girt about the breasts with a golden girdle. But his head and his hair were white as white wool, and as snow, and his eyes were as a flame of fire; his feet were like fine brass, as in a glowing furnace, and his voice like the voice of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars. And out of his mouth came forth a sharp two-edged sword; and his countenance was like the sun shining in its power. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last, and he who lives; I was dead, and behold, I am living forevermore; and I have the keys of death and of hell.” (Revelations 1:12-18).
Here is marymajor’s photo album of Jesus Christ.
Sonogram: Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.” And the Angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38).
Birth: And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7).
Naming, Circumcision and Presentation: A man named Simeon… just and devout…the Holy Spirit was upon him…received…Jesus…into his arms and blessed God, saying, “Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace; because my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and a glory for thy people Israel.” (Luke 2:25-32).
School: And the child grew and became strong. He was full of wisdom and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40).
Twelve Years Old: Jesus…in the temple…And all who were listening to him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. (Luke 2:46).
Baptism: Now it came to pass when all the people had been baptized, Jesus also having been baptized and being in prayer, that heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form as a dove, and a voice came from heaven, “Thou art my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22).
Preaching: And coming down with them, he took his stand on a level stretch, with a crowd of his disciples, and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to listen to him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd were trying to touch him, for power went forth from him and healed all. And he lifted up his eyes to his disciples and said, “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:17-20).
With His Brethren: Now his mother and brethren came to him; and they could not get to him because of the crowd. And it was told him, “Thy mother and thy brethren are standing outside, wishing to see thee.” But he answered and said to them, “My mother and my brethren are they who hear the word of God, and act upon it.” (Luke 8:19-21).
Transfigured: And as he prayed, the appearance of his countenance was changed, and his raiment became a radiant white. And behold, two men were talking with him. And these were Moses and Elias, who, appearing in glory, spoke of his death, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:29-31).
With Martha and Mary: But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things; and yet only one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the best part, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42).
Raising Lazarus from the Dead: They therefore removed the stone. And Jesus, raising his eyes, said, “Father, I give thee thanks that thou hast heard me. Yet I know that thou always hearest me; but because of the people who stand round, I spoke, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.” When he had said this, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And at once he who had been dead came forth, bound feet and hands with bandages, and his face was tied up with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” (John 11:41-44).
Denouncing the Pharisees: But the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but within you are full of robbery and wickedness.” (Luke 11:39).
Denouncing the Lawyers: But he said, “Woe to you lawyers also! Because you load men with oppressive burdens and you yourselves with one of your fingers do not touch the burdens.” (Luke 11:46-47).
Traveling the Road: And he passed on through towns and villages, teaching and making his way toward Jerusalem. (Luke 13:22).
Blessing the Children: Now they were bringing the babes also to him that he might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them together and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for of such is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:15-16).
Curing the Blind Man at Jericho: And he said, “Lord, that I may see.” And Jesus said to him, “Receive thy sight, thy faith has saved thee.” And at once he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people upon seeing it gave praise to God. (Luke 18:41-3).
Cleansing of the Temple: And he entered the temple, and began to cast out those who were selling and buying in it, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house is a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of thieves.” And he was teaching daily in the temple. (Luke 19:46).
The Last Supper: And having taken bread, he gave thanks and broke, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is being given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19).
With the Comforting Angel: And there appeared to him an angel from heaven to strengthen him. And falling into an agony he prayed the more earnestly. (Luke 22:43).
Crucified: And Jesus cried out with a loud voice and said, “Father into thy hands I commend my spirit.” And having said this, he expired. (Luke 23:46).
Resurrected: Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them, “Peace be to you!” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore rejoiced at the sight of the Lord. He therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you! As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” When he had said this, he breathed upon them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.” (John 20:19-22).
Speaking with Peter: Peter was grieved because he said to him for the third time, “Dost thou love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee.” He said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17).
Ascension: Now he led them out towards Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them. And it came to pass as he blessed them, that he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. (Luke 24:50-53).
Stephen, First Martyr, sees Him: But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. (Acts 7:55).
He Appears to Saul: And as he went on his journey, it came to pass that he drew near to Damascus, when suddenly a light from heaven shone round about him; and falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me?” And he said, “Who art thou, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom though art persecuting. It is hard for thee to kick against the goad.” (Acts 9:3-5).
John sees Him in heaven during the Apocalypse: And I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands; and in the midst of the seven lamp-stands One like to a son of man, clothed with a garment reaching to the ankles, and girt about the breasts with a golden girdle. But his head and his hair were white as white wool, and as snow, and his eyes were as a flame of fire; his feet were like fine brass, as in a glowing furnace, and his voice like the voice of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars. And out of his mouth came forth a sharp two-edged sword; and his countenance was like the sun shining in its power. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last, and he who lives; I was dead, and behold, I am living forevermore; and I have the keys of death and of hell.” (Revelations 1:12-18).
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