An Episcopal Priest's Sermons, Prayers, and Reflections on Life, Becoming Human, and Discovering Our Divinity
The feast of Christmas is the feast of the mystical Body, for it is through the Incarnation that men have become members of Christ. Whatever theological interpretation we give to this great scriptural and patristic affirmation of our incorporation into…
Read More Christmas – The Gift of Union
How could the human race go to God if God had not come to us? How should we free ourselves from our birth into death if we had not been born again according to faith by a new birth generously…
Read More Irenaeus and the Purpose of the Incarnation
The collect and readings for Christmas may be found here. Every one of us could probably tell the Christmas story. We know it well. A young virgin named Mary conceives a child by the Holy Spirit. She and her betrothed,…
Read More The Manger Is Not In Bethlehem – A Christmas Sermon On Luke 2:1-20
Today a strange mystery has been fulfilled; for nature has been renewed and God has become human. Yes, he remains ever the same, divine, but has now taken on to himself what he had not before, humanity. The two, divinity…
“Now the birth of Jesus took place in this way….” (Matthew 1:18-25) Matthew's description of how the birth happens does not mention anything that is on my to-do list. So maybe the real work, the final work of Advent, is to…
Read More The Final Work of Advent
"Let your goodness Lord appear to us, that we, made in your image, may conform ourselves to it. In our own strength we cannot imitate your majesty, power, and wonder nor is it fitting for us to try. But your mercy reaches from…
Read More Nativity Prayer of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
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…
Read More The Ecstasy of Christmas
The collect and readings for Christmas Eve may be found here. The appointed gospel is Luke 2:1-20. In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken…
Read More The Cradle of Birth and New Life – A Sermon for Christmas Eve
"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,…
Read More Hymns on the Nativity – St. Ephrem
This Christmas night bestowed peace on the whole world; So let no one threaten; This is the night of the Most Gentle One - Let no one be cruel; This is the night of the Humble One - Let no…
Read More Nativity Sermon of St. Isaac the Syrian
Interrupting the Silence 