"What is the True Meaning of Christmas?"
This question is one of the very few theological queries that is commonly asked in America. Yet for American Orthodox Christians, despite our theological certainty and wealth of tradition, the Nativity season is a complicated time. During America's great season of feasting, we traditionally fast. Our winter festal season culminates on Theophany, two weeks after most Americans' holiday is done. Particularly for converts, it may be a struggle to partake of the fullness of Nativity while still sharing in the warmth and fellowship of the Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions of our families. How do we embrace our Orthodox practice amidst the conflicting demands of our culture?
This web page aims to compile resources and inspiration for Orthodox Christians and inquirers throughout the Nativity season. Please check in periodically, as we plan to add material on the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos, Thanksgiving, St. Nicholas Day, Nativity and more, right up until the Leavetaking of Theophany. We hope to provide food for thought and for the spirit throughout the fast, and a feast of good words as we celebrate the Feast of the Word's Birth in the Flesh.
The Winter Pascha, Chapter 34: The Great Blessing of Water
The following is an excerpt from The Winter Pascha, by Fr. Thomas Hopko
The rite of the Great Blessing of Water is celebrated in the Orthodox Church after the vesperal divine liturgy on the eve of the feast of the Epiphany [Theophany], and after the eucharistic liturgy on the day itself.It begins with the chanting of special hymns with the incensing of the water, and concludes with bible readings, petitions and prayers.
Today the nature of the waters is sanctified,
The Jordan bursts forth and turns back the flood of its streams,
Seeing the Master wash Himself.To the voice of one crying in the wilderness,
Prepare ye the way of the Lord,
You came, O Lord, taking the form of a servant,
Asking for baptism though you have no sin.
The waters saw You and were afraid.
The Forerunner began to tremble and cried out, saying:
How shall the lampstand illumine the Light?
How shall the servant lay hands upon the Master?
Sanctify both me and the waters, O Savior,
Who takes away the sins of the world.1
.....
God has sent His only-begotten Son "not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." (Jn 3:17) He has sent the Lord Jesus Christ not only to save people's souls, but to save their bodies, and not only to save human beings, but to save the entire creation.
Theophany of Our Lord + January 6
Tone 4
O Jordan River, why wast thou astonished at beholding the Invisible naked? And he answereth, saying, I beheld Him and trembled; for how shall I not tremble and fear, when the angels trembled at sight of Him, heaven was astounded, earth was encompassed by trepidation, and the sea was bashful, with all things visible and invisible; for Christ hath appeared in the Jordan to bless the waters.
Tone 1
He that encompasseth the heavens with clouds putteth on today the courses of the Jordan; and He that lifteth the sin of the world, cleanseth and purifieth me. Yea, the Spirit hath testified of Him from on high that He is the only Son of the Father on high. Let us, therefore, shout to Him, crying, O Thou Who didst appear and save us, glory to Thee.
