Interrupting the Silence

Tag: Incarnation

  • Incarnation, Theosis, Ecstasy

    In a previous post I wrote about ecstasy; that God is ecstatic and we are called to respond to his ecstasy with our own ecstasy. This double movement of God to humanity and humanity to God underlies the doctrine of theosis and describes the very purpose of incarnation. This double movement is sometimes referred to Read more

  • The Ecstasy of Christmas

    The collect and readings for Christmas Day may be found here. The appointed gospel was John 1:1-14. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. Read more

  • Hymns on the Nativity – St. Ephrem

    “The Son of the Most High came and dwelt in me, and I became His Mother; and as by a second birth I brought Him forth so did He bring me forth by the second birth, because He put His Mother’s garments on, she clothed her body with His glory.” – St. Ephrem the Syrian, Hymns on the Nativity, Hymn XI. Read more

  • The Virgin Mary, A Letter Sent by the Father

    Mary appeared to us as a sealed letter, in which were hidden the mysteries of the Son and his depth. She gave her body as a clean sheet; the Word wrote his essence on it, corporeally. The Son is the Word and she is the letter, as we said, by which forgiveness was sent forth Read more

  • Birthing God – The Feast of the Annunciation

    The Annunciation to the Theotokos (Luke 1:26-38) is an annunciation to the entire human race that the Son and Word of God has become incarnate. What happened physically in Mary happens spiritually in everyone who lives in virginity, that is, in those who are purified of the passions. Every time we say “Let it be Read more

  • Incarnation

    “O inexpressible mystery and unheard paradox: the Invisible is seen, the Intangible is touched , the eternal Word becomes accessible to our speech, the Timeless steps into time, the Son of God becomes the Son of Man.”                                                                                      — Saint Gregory of Nyssa Read more

  • The Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

    “What can we bring you, O Christ, for having been born for us on earth as a man? Each creature, the work of your hands, offers you a sign of gratitude: the angels, their hymn; the heavens, the star; the magi, their gifts; the shepherds, their admiration; the earth, a cave; the desert, the manger; Read more

  • The Icon of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

    This is a traditional icon of The Nativity. The early church used icons to tell the story—theology in imagery. There is so much to tell and to be seen! For starters, notice that Joseph is off to the bottom left. This is his proper position in the Nativity icon. Think of the Gospel account – Read more