Behold on Christmas a new and wondrous reality. The angels sing and the archangels blend their voices in harmony. The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise. The Seraphim exalt Christ’s 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 we who are lowly are by divine mercy raised up. Bethlehem this day resembles heaven, hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices.
Your Nativity, O Christ our God, has shone to the world the Light of wisdom! For by it, those who worshipped the stars, were taught by a Star to adore You, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know You, the Orient from on High. O Lord, glory to You! Troparion of The Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (Eastern Orthodox Church) Andrei Rublev (1370-1430) detail of Nativity Icon "It was here that a homeless couple had crept underground with the cattle when the doors of crowded caravanserai had been shut in their faces; and it was here beneath the very feet of the passers-by, in a cellar under the very floor of the world, that Jesus Christ was born." G. K. Chesterton, “The God In the Cave,” The Everlasting Man God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 1 John 4 :16 Truth sees God, and wisdom contemplates God, and from these two comes a third, a holy and wonderful delight in God, who is love.” ― Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine ...