God Is with Us! (Nativity)

Psalm 39 - A Christmas Prophecy

In this prophetic Psalm, we have a song filled with love and a Psalm which gave theme to Hebrews 10. See the incarnation of Christ in this beautiful hymn of the Church.

Prepare O Bethlehem

Prepare O Bethlehem: The Feast of The Nativity Illustrated for Children by Niko Chocheli (St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2000)

A Psalm for Christmas

Psalm 73 (74) asks the great "Why" question of humanity. That question is answered in a cave in Bethlehem as the God of the universe takes on flesh for our salvation.

The Consecration of the Virgin Mary

Fr. Pat uses Aristotle's Four Causes to explore the consecrated life of the Mother of God.

The Miracle of St. Nicholas

The Miracle of Saint Nicholas by Gloria Whelan, illustrated by Judith Brown (Bethlehem books, 1997)

Forty Days Before Christmas - Why We Fast

Fr. Stephen looks at the very heart of fasting - not the foods - not the 'how to's' - but why we fast.

The Life And Miracles Of Saint Nicholas - Part 11 & conclusion

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas, The Wonderworker by Count Michael Tolstoy - Part 11/conclusion. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Life And Miracles Of Saint Nicholas - Part 10

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas, The Wonderworker by Count Michael Tolstoy - Part 10. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas - Part 9

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas, The Wonderworker by Count Michael Tolstoy - Part 9. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Life And Miracles Of Saint Nicholas - Part 8

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas, The Wonderworker by Count Michael Tolstoy - Part 8. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Life And Miracles Of St. Nicholas - Part 7

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas, The Wonderworker by Count Michael Tolstoy - Part 7. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Life And Miracles Of Saint Nicholas - Part 6

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas, The Wonderworker by Count Michael Tolstoy - Part 6. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Life And Miracles Of St. Nicholas - Part 5

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas, The Wonderworker by Count Michael Tolstoy - Part 5. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Life And Miracles Of St. Nicholas - Part 4

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas, The Wonderworker by Count Michael Tolstoy - Part 4. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas - Part 3

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas, The Wonderworker by Count Michael Tolstoy - Part 3. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Life And Miracles Of Saint Nicholas - Part 2

The Story of Three Girls, from The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas, The Wonderworker by Count Michael Tolstoy - Part 2. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Life And Miracles Of Saint Nicholas - Part 1

God’s Chosen One from The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas, The Wonderworker by Count Michael Tolstoy - Part One. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Story Of The Nativity Of Christ - Part Three

The Story of The Nativity of Christ by Vesna Nikchevich, Part Three. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Incarnation - Do We Really Believe It?

In a new episode, Fr. Thomas Hopko presses the question on the Incarnation of Christ - do we REALLY believe it?

The Nativity Feast, The Holy Family And The Domestic Church

Fr. George takes a break from his ongoing series to examine the Nativity of Christ, especially in light of Joseph and how he and Mary are an example for the domestic church in the home.

The Word Became Flesh

Fr. John explains how all the Church's words are full of grace and truth-- an example for us all as we celebrate the birth of The Word.

Noble Joseph

Fr. Ted discusses Joseph, exploring his patience, kindness and faithfulness.

The Story Of The Nativity Of Christ - Part Two

The Story of The Nativity of Christ by Vesna Nikchevich, Part Two. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Story Of The Nativity Of Christ - Part One

The Story of The Nativity of Christ by Vesna Nikchevich, Part One. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

Dec 06 - St. Nicholas The Wonderworker, Archbishop Of Myra

Prepare O Bethlehem: The Feast Of The Nativity

Prepare O Bethlehem: The Feast of The Nativity Illustrated for Children by Niko Chocheli (St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2000).

Glory to God Who Has Shown Himself to Us: St. Ephrem and St. John on the Nativity

In a broadcast for the Feast of the Nativity According to the Flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ, we reflect on two hymns of St. Ephrem the Syrian and a portion of a homily by St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco on the glory of the night of Christ’s full revelation.
 

The Nativity of Christ (Matthew 2:1-12)

Dec 25 - The Nativity According To The Flesh Of Our Lord, God And Savior, Jesus Christ

What Good Comes from Christ’s Nativity?

In this episode, Jason looks at many of the good things that come to us because Christ became incarnate.

A Healing Lesson for the Nativity: A Christian Understanding the Jewishness - Part 1

Fr. George uses a recent incident in the news to show the healing necessary for all, including society, when one does evil.

Nativity, Epiphany, and Pascha - Patterns of Worship

Fr. Thomas Hopko presents a meditation on how the liturgical services of Christmas and Epiphany pattern those of the Christ’s Holy Pascha of Easter.

Prepare O Bethlehem: The Feast of the Nativity

128. Prepare O Bethlehem: The Feast of the Nativity Illustrated for Children by Niko Chocheli (St. Vladimir’s Press, 2000).

The Genealogies

What is the significance of all of those "begats" in the Gospel lesson just before Nativity? Fr. Tom breaks it down for us in the current episode.

Entering The Father’s Banquet - Preparing For The Birth Of Our Lord

In these days before Christ's Nativity, Fr. George examines more closely the meaning of Jesus' parable of the king's great feast.

The Fathers Prepare

On the 1st two Sundays before Christmas, we commerate and sing about all of the faithful throughout the ages who prepared for the birth of Christ. Fr. Tom references the book Surprised by Christ by Fr. A. James Bernstein which is available from Conciliar Press.

Good Will Toward Men

During this Nativity season, Molly reflects on what it means to love our Neighbor - even if they have different beliefs, moral standards, or no belief at all.

‘Twas The Night Of Nativity

Just a few more weeks until the Nativity feast. With the fast, the shopping, the preparations ... how are you doing? Let us prepare? Yes. But regardless of how prepared we are, let us be thankful.

The Entrance of the Theotokos Into the Temple

Fr. Tom teaches on this significant feast at the beginning of the Nativity season.

The Nativity Fast

As we are in the beginning days of the Nativity fast, Fr. Tom takes us on a journey from the Presentation of Mary in the Temple to Theophany. Fr. Tom references a couple of resources:

The Winter Pascha by Fr. Thomas Hopko
Putting Christmas Back into Christ - CD series by Fr. Thomas Hopko

The Name of Jesus

The Angel told the Theotokos, “You will call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Fr. Thomas Hopko explores the significance of this name, as well as its origins.

Christmas Gift Ideas

Puzzled about what to give the foodies on your list? Join Martha for some gift ideas that can meet every skill level and interest and possibly keep you out of the mall!

Christmas Remembered - Part 2

Matthew concludes his annual tale set in Christmas of 1964

St Athanasius: “What was God to do?”

Why did God become man? This week’s reflection explores St Athanasius’ consideration of the Son’s incarnation as a response to his probing refrain, in the face of man’s sin: ‘What was God to do?’

The Smallness Of God

Fr. Stephen turns our thoughts during this week of the Nativity to the "smallness" of God. God has come to save us through His "weakness" as St. Paul says and invites us to share in that humility.

Silent

What gifts are you bringing to the Savior this Nativity season?

Christmas Remembered - Part 1

In this now-traditional annual story, Matthew takes us back to the week before Christmas, 1964 and recounts the tale of a young boy and his mother's love.

Eye Of The Storm

Kh. Krista muses on Christmas, preparation, twinkly lights and priorities as we draw closer to Christmas day.

Surviving the Season - Part 2

Today Martha shares her reflections on seasonal citrus, St Nicholas and the classic dish Salmon Coulibiac.

St. Nicholas Day At The Sabourin’s

In this encore presentation, Molly interviews son Elijah about St. Nicholas and shares the dramatic story of this venerable Saint.

Kontakion On The Nativity Of Christ

An interview with Dr. Richard Toensing, composer of a new CD from Cappella Romana which includes 12 NEW Orthodox Christmas carols!

Surviving the Season

The Nativity fast begins soon and the "season" gets started. Martha has some helpful insight for all of us as we prepare our hearts and our homes for the coming of Christ.

The Synaxis of the Holy Theotokos

Fr. John discusses the importance of the Synaxis of the Theotokos, celebrated each year on December 26.

Tuesday Dec 25 - The Nativity according to the Flesh of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ

The Holy Nativity of Our Lord / The Miraculous Child

37. Book 1: The Holy Nativity of Our Lord: The Birth of the Messiah by Euphemia Briere (St. Nectarios Press, 1993)

Book 2: The Miraculous Child, a Christmas folktale from old Russia retold by Alvin Aleksi Currier (Conciliar Press, 2000)

‘Twas the Week Before Nativity

Just a few more days until the Nativity feast. With the fast, the shopping, the preparations....how are you doin'? Let us prepare? Yes. But regardless of how prepared we are, let us be thankful.

Good King Wenceslas / A Perfect Christmas 2 - Conclusion

36. Book 1: Good King Wenceslas by John M. Neale (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2005)

Book 2: A Perfect Christmas written by Dennis Eugene Engleman and illustrated by Niko Chocheli (Regina Orthodox Press, 2003) part two and conclusion.

Praying the Psalms During Nativity

Georgia Mamalakis joins us to talk about a group of women joined together over many miles to pray the Psalms during the Nativity Fast but also during Great Lent.

St. Romanos Nativity Kontakon

Don't miss this rich and inspiring reading by Frederica of the entire Nativity Kontakion written by St. Romanos the Melodist and translated by Fr. Ephrem Lash. It was taken from the book On the Life of Christ: Kontakia, published in 1994 and available from Eighth Day Books.

The Nativity of our Lord / A Perfect Christmas

35. Book 1: The Nativity of our Lord from The Twelve Great Feasts for Children by Mother Melania (Conciliar Press)

Book 2: A Perfect Christmas written by Dennis Eugene Engleman and illustrated by Niko Chocheli (Regina Orthodox Press, 2004)

Nativity Fast

So why are Orthodox Christians fasting the weeks leading up to Christmas while other Christians are having parties and good food?

Nature, History, Redemption - Nativity 2006

An Explanation of the Nativity Icon

We're baaaack! After an unintended extended hiatus from the program, we were finally able to find an evening to record a special "Christmas edition" of Our Life in Christ. In this program we walk through the icon of the Nativity and look at the wholistic view of the ministry of Christ in His incarnation. The Nativity icon foreshadows the Passion of Christ and we see in the details of the icon commmon elements that show us that our salvation began from eternity. Blessed Nativity to all of our listeners!

The Nativity Fast