Nativity of the Lord
DAN SANDU
The Nativity of the Lord is the liturgical feast commemorating the coming in flesh (incarnation) of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity: God made man, Jesus Christ, the Son of God among us. It is popularly known as Christmas. Jesus was born in Bethlehem of the Holy Virgin Mary, through the descent of the Holy Spirit, without the contribution of a human father. The Orthodox doctrine affirms the virginal conception and birth of the Lord and venerates Mary as the Ever-Virgin (Aei-Parthenos). Jesus was born during the reign of the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus, in the year 754 ab Urbe condita, when a census was taking place in the Roman Empire.
The event has a universal dimension, as it is accomplished for and through the whole creation. The icon of nativity depicts hosts of angels singing joyous hymns, shepherds who come to worship the light in the cave and a star guiding the three wise men who traveled from the Far East to glorify the Holy Infant and offer precious gifts. The icon is inspired by the liturgy and reflects the biblical account, yet also includes elements handed down by tradition.
Nativity is celebrated on a fixed date (December 25) in the Orthodox Churches (those following the old calendar still celebrate it on that date, although they reckon it as falling 13 days later). It is one of the most important feasts in the calendar after the Great Feasts of Pascha and Pentecost. The dates of other fixed feasts (Annunciation, for example) are established in relation to it.
The Nativity of the Lord is to be understood as a spiritual symbol too, because Jesus must be born in the soul of each human being, a mystery which will determine an ontological change in those who accept Christ as Lord and Savior. His birth is the premise of all his redeeming work, through which human persons can attain godlikeness (Greek theosis or deification).
SEE ALSO: Deification; Incarnation (of the Logos); Nativity of the Theotokos; Theotokos, the Blessed Virgin
REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED READINGS
McKinion, S. A. (2000) Words, Imagery, and the Mystery of Christ. Leiden: Brill.
McGuckin, J. A. (2004) St. Cyril of Alexandria: The Christological Controversy. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Macleod, D. (ed.) (1998) The Person of Christ.
Westmont, IL: InterVarsity Press.
O’Collins, G. (2002) Incarnation. London: Continuum.