Christ is born! Glorify him!
As we celebrate the midwinter feast of the Lord’s saving Nativity in the flesh, in some parts of North America, snow lies thick across the ground, blanketing the whole landscape in white. Many of us who live in other parts of the country are merely dreaming of such a white Christmas. But whether the snow is real or imagined, outside our doors or in our heads, it is undoubtedly a potent popular symbol of this holiday. From an Orthodox Christian perspective, the symbolism could not be more appropriate: the one whom we worship lying in the manger is none other than the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. By his Blood, we, who were stained with sin, are clothed in the snow-white garment of his righteousness. God has become man, and all of creation is restored to relationship with the Creator: the whole world is covered in the white light of his grace, shining forth from the crib in Bethlehem. Glory to him who has shown us the light!
Christ is born! Glorify him!