Monthly Archives: December 2009

To Be Human is To Be Christ(-like)

Posted on December 31, 2009 by

Morna Hooker’s book  FROM ADAM TO CHRIST: ESSAYS ON PAUL is a theological gem, but not easy reading.  She pieced together some ideas that seem quite profound to me. “According to Gen. 3-5 and 22, the eating of the forbidden … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancestral Sin, Christ, Christian, Cross, God, humility, Incarnation, love, Orthodox, Orthodoxy, theology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sin and Sinfulness of Anger

Posted on December 30, 2009 by

I finished reading the excellent little book FINDING HAPPINESS: MONASTIC STEPS FOR A FULFILLING LIFE  by Abbot Christopher Jamison.  I will share some of his comments on the sin of anger – a sin which is so pervasive in our … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancestral Sin, being human, Christian, Orthodox, Orthodoxy, Peace, Repentance, Theosis, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Twelve Quotes for Christmas (12)

Posted on December 29, 2009 by

“The mystery of the Incarnation was a mystery of the love divine, of the divine identification with lost man.  And the climax of the Incarnation was the cross.  It is the turning point of human destiny.  But the awful mystery … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Cross, Incarnation, Nativity of Christ, Orthodox, Orthodoxy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Twelve Quotes for Christmas (11)

Posted on December 28, 2009 by

  “If he had chosen the great city of Rome, men would have said that the transformation of the world had been accomplished by the might of that people.  Had he come as the son of the Emperor, they would … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Incarnation, Nativity of Christ, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Twelve Quotes for Christmas (9-10)

Posted on December 28, 2009 by

      “Herod, you are troubled with idle fear.  Your kingdom would not contain Christ; nor is the Lord of the world to be confined within the narrow limits of the power of your scepter.  He whom you wish … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Incarnation, Judgment, Kingdom, Nativity of Christ, Orthodox, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Christmas: The Incarnation of the Word of God

Posted on December 27, 2009 by

CHRISTMAS: THE INCARNATION OF THE WORD of GOD Hilary of Poitier (d. ca 368 AD) read the prologue to St. John’s Gospel which was an awakening and revelation to him.  His writing is a testimony to the power of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christmas, Incarnation, Nativity of Christ, Orthodox, Orthodoxy, salvation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Twelve Quotes for Christmas (8)

Posted on December 26, 2009 by

      “Saint John Chrysostom stated that ‘human reason has greater difficulty understanding how a God might become man than to explain how a man might become a child of God (Homily 2, 2 on Matthew).  ‘We cannot fathom … Continue reading →

Posted in being human, Christmas, Incarnation, Nativity of Christ, Orthodox, Orthodoxy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Twelve Quotes for Christmas (7)

Posted on December 25, 2009 by

“He lay in a manger, a child newly born: tiny in body, abject in poverty.  But in this Child something great lay hidden, of which these, the first-fruits of the Gentiles, had learned, not from earthly rumor, but from heavenly … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Incarnation, Nativity of Christ, Orthodox | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Christmas Greetings 2009

Posted on December 25, 2009 by

Christ is born! In St. Paul’s day Christmas was neither a Holy Day for Christians nor a winter holiday for consumers and businesses.  Nevertheless, that Jesus Christ was born was a historical fact and reason for Christians to reflect upon … Continue reading →

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Twelve Quotes for Christmas (6)

Posted on December 25, 2009 by

  “I behold a new and wondrous mystery.  My ears resound to the Shepherd’s song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn.  The Angels sing.  The archangels blend their voice in harmony.  The Cherubim hymn their … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christmas, God, Incarnation, Nativity of Christ, Orthodox, Orthodoxy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments