"A strange mystery do I behold: the cave is a heaven; the virgin a
cherubic throne." Canticle Nine; The Nativity
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN.
My dearly beloved Orthodox Christians, the Nativity Fast begins
today and the darkness of night grows deeper and longer.
"The cave is a heaven," wrote the Hymnographer. True enough. But how
inviting was this cave for the virgin, when at the tender age of
only thirteen was forced to enter?
And so, a dark and dank cave became a maternity ward. And in this
cave where animals reside, no table nor lamp stand could be found.
Oxen and donkeys are not prone to clean up after themselves, so no
rubbish cans were to discovered. And this is a heaven?
We all know the famous scripture for the feast, "The ox knows his
owner and the donkey his master’s crib." Many of us have prayed to
be "visited by an angel," but to a donkey who served a soothsayer,
an angel visited thrice.
Likened to an ox is a worthy priest when in St Paul's exhortation we
read, "Do not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn." And it was
a donkey that our Savior mounted at his enty into Jerusalem. Will we
see any of these priviledged "pets" in heaven? "The oxen and donkeys
go into heaven before you," would likely be the Savior's reply.
"Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," is our daily prayer.
Balaam’s donkey was willing to be beaten by her lord to protect him
from danger. Oxen tread out corn to provide a good meal for their
sovereigns. And a whole cadre of donkeys are found in Scriptures
carrying out their masters' will unquestioningly.
My christmas thought this Monday morning as we begin the Fast is
this. We will get a little bit of that cave's "heaven," if we follow
the lead of a few donkeys I know.
Through the prayers of the righteous oxen and donkeys with whom may
we all be blessed -
- ++ + ++ + ++ + ++ + ++ + ++
+ROAC Subdeacon Nathanael Kapner
"Stories My Rabbi Taught Me"
"every friday" +CHURCH NEWS+
http://www.livejournal.com/users/sbn_nathanael/
"Nathanael Speaks!"
"Angels, from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o'er all the earth;
ye who sang creation's story,
now proclaim Messiah's birth:
"Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn King.
"Shepherds in the field abiding,
watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing;
yonder shines the infant Light:
Refrain
"Sages, leave your contemplations;
brighter visions beam afar:
seek the great Desire of nations;
ye have seen his natal star:
Refrain
"Saints before the altar bending,
watching long in hope and fear,
suddenly the Lord, descending,
in Marys temple shall appear:
Refrain /James Montgomery 1771
("hallelujah!" (:>#
