ORTHODIXIE ... Southern, Orthodox, Convert, Etc.

GOOD BOOK: It has taken more than 25 years, but part of the Bible is now readable in Gullah, the creole language spoken by the descendants of slaves on islands off America's southeastern coast. "Da Nyew Testament" went on sale [last] month. "Gullah is an oral language, so the translation was painstaking," an AP report explains. But even King James might recognize the result. Take the English verse John 1:1: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God." The Gullah version is: "Fo God mek de wol, de Wod been dey. De Wod been dey wid God, an de Wod been God." Sounds like "good nyews" in any language.

-- For more on the Gullah & Geechee, go H E R E.
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The very strong impression that comes through is one of “So, Lewis is this great Christian figure? Well, he smoked! and drank! and had sex! So there! Now what do you think of your hero, hmm?”

The fact that some of us may contrive not to fall to the floor in staggerment at this astounding revelation does not seem to have occurred to the gentleman, much less the possibilty that Lewis never wished to be presented as a plaster saint.

Comment from Get Religion's review of an article on CSL.
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JANUARY
Little did I know, a year ago, that I'd serve a church within a short walk of Joel Osteen's. Then there was the whole "Sponge Bob is Gay" & the debunking of the "Prophecies of St Nilus." Of course, January 2004's news was dominated by the Tsunami. Was God there? On a personal note, we lost our beloved family pet of 18 years.

FEBRUARY
The second month of the year saw various calls for Orthodox Unity (1 ... 2) ... and that whole Sponge Bob Controversy led to this collaboration.
Dawn Eden wound up "between jobs" and, eventually, on to better things.

MARCH
And, Da Vinci Code aside, did you know that the Lord really DID have a wife? The Lenten Fast brought a little more sobriety, thanks to the Great Prayer of St Ephraim. Here's a handy guide on where to look for GUIDANCE in the Bible -- but, Where is the Love? Thank God others are fed up with Hip Hop!

APRIL
The death of a pope. With all the media attention, you may have missed this story: Is the Pope Catholic? Did you and yours boogie to the Royal Hours on Great & Holy Friday?

MAY
Warmer temps, for whatever reason, brought a couple on Evolution ... 1 ... 2. And where would we all be without a little required reading? Speaking of which, here's 12 from Hermas.

JUNE
Then there was that gosh-awful clown mess. Should we protest Communion? By the way, what separates us anyhow? Here's my favorite oldest daughter (and her old man) on the Proverbs. She was 10 back then. Wow ... has it really been Ten Years? Orthodoxy, unfortunately, made the news. How 'bout you? Are you an Orthodox Fundamentalist?

JULY
Or, maybe you know an Orthodox FundaMINIMAList? Here's Mama Fred on Orthodox Unity. Did someone mention Harry Potter? (Harry Potter, Harry Potter, Harry Potter, Harry Potter) How 'bout Camp St Thekla? -- Here and HERE. While some were camping, others were at the Antiochian Convention voting!

AUGUST
Monster Magnet, my father died. Dwight Yoakum came to the hills of North Carolina ... and my favorite oldest daughter spaced out. Donations through this Blog raised over $350 for IOCC hurricane relief.

SEPTEMBER
My favorite son on -- reader beware! -- on hot dogs. The move to Houston ... 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 4. Some thoughts on the War. The death of a hierarch.

OCTOBER
Here's a little humour, at Bush's expense ... tmatt scores! ... and I went off on Madonna. The Astros lost the series. A confession from a Halloween hypocrite.

NOVEMBER
Speaking of October 31st. TMATT's got a book out; Mama Fred, too. Then, of course -- again & again -- Orthodox Unity. "We have returned to claim the pyramids ... partying on the Mothership, I am the Mothership Connection."

DECEMBER
A bunch of stuff about Xmas.
What's the deal with all this blogging anyway?

Thanks for reading. Happy New Year!
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In any case, here's a pic of him from the upcoming Pic that totally disses the Roman Catholic Church.

Though Eastern Orthodoxy was hardly on Dan Brown's radar screen, it should be on Tom's.

[Insert favorite Forrest Gump quote here.]

HT Canterbury Tales
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[A]mong the new movements that have arisen in the Catholic Church, the Neocatechumenal Way is the one that goes the farthest in introducing innovations to the celebration of the Mass.

In the Neocatechumenal Way, communion is taken while seated around a large square table, with a large loaf of bread that is divided among the participants and wine that is passes from hand to hand and is taken in large swallows.

But communion is not the only area in which there is a departure from the traditional liturgy. There are significant innovations in other parts of the Mass.

For example, the readings from the liturgy of the Word are commented upon by the catechists of the group, who make lengthy “admonitions” followed by “resonances” from many of those present. The priest’s homily is hardly distinguished, or not distinguished at all, from the rest of the comments.

The times and places for the Mass are also unusual.

The Neocatechumenals do not celebrate their Masses on Sunday, but on Saturday evening, in small groups and separate from the parish communities to which they belong.

Each Neocatechumenal group corresponds to a different stage of the Way, so each group of 20-30 persons has its own Mass. If there are ten groups of Neocatechumenals in a parish, there will be ten different Masses on Saturday evening, in ten separate locations.

The statutes approved by the Holy See in 2002 require that the Masses of the Neocatechumenals be “open to other members of the faithful” (article 13.3), but in fact nothing has changed. The greetings, presentations, and applause during the entrance ceremony form a natural barrier to outsiders.

Here's the whole article -- including Pope Benedict's recent letter.
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I received the following note from a reader:

I caught this show on Christmas day. It was a very interesting history about his life and how his relics had traveled. Then using the relics they reconstructed his face using forensics.

My thoughts?

Well, it just goes to show ya, scientists should always check with the Orthodox -- it might save time, effort, and money:



Icon of St Nicholas, 10-11th century, the Walters Art Museum.
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This article notes that the movie based on Dan Brown's book will open in theatres May 19th. I'm just twisted enough to look at the Church calendar.

Let's see ...

Yep!

That's the weekend we honour Saints Constantine & Helen (new calendar, May 21).

Not that there's a conspiracy or anything, but Constantine serves as the harbinger of all bad things (second only to the evil Vatican) in Brown's bestseller.

Cute.

HT Drudge

Today, Constantine with his mother Helen present the Cross, the most precious wood. It shames unbelievers. It is a weapon of faithful kings against their adversaries. A great sign has come forth for us which is awesome in battle.
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Here's some snips from Kathleen Parker's rant about blogs, Lord of the Blogs:

Say what you will about the so-called mainstream media, but no industry agonizes more about how to improve its product, police its own members and better serve its communities. Newspapers are filled with carpal-tunneled wretches, overworked and underpaid, who suffer near-pathological allegiance to getting it right.

Bloggers persist no matter their contributions or quality, though most would have little to occupy their time were the mainstream media to disappear tomorrow. Some bloggers do their own reporting, but most rely on mainstream reporters to do the heavy lifting. Some bloggers also offer superb commentary, but most babble, buzz and blurt like caffeinated adolescents competing for the Ritalin generation's inevitable senior superlative: Most Obsessive-Compulsive.

They play tag team with hyperlinks ("I'll say you're important if you'll say I'm important) and shriek "Gotcha!" when they catch some weary wage earner in a mistake or oversight. Plenty smart but lacking in wisdom, they possess the power of a forum, but neither the maturity nor humility that years of experience impose.

You can read it all H E R E.

HT News Forum
Pic Flame Warriors
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This site (hypered above) is up and running. Please give it a look. Being the newbie on the block, I've only had the pleasure of attending one meeting. Though we didn't sing KumBaYa (thanks be to Yah), having clergy from all canonical Orthodox "jurisdictions" gathering together to discuss the pastoral needs and ministry opportunities in the area is beyond refreshing.

Christ is Born!
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New Site! Highly recommended!
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O bird that somewhere yonder sings,
In the dim hour 'twixt dreams and dawn,
Lone in the hush of sleeping things,
In some sky sanctuary withdrawn;
Your perfect song is too like pain,
And will not let me sleep again.

I think you must be more than bird,
A little creature of soft wings,
Not yours this deep and thrilling word --
Some morning planet 'tis that sings;
Surely from no small feathered throat
Wells that august, eternal note.

As some old language of the dead,
In one resounding syllable,
Says Rome and Greece and all is said --
A simple word a child may spell;
So in your liquid note impearled
Sings the long epic of the world.

Unfathomed sweetness of your song,
With ancient anguish at its core,
What womb of elemental wrong,
With shudder unimagined, bore
Peace so divine -- what hell hath trod
This voice that softly talks with God!

All silence in one silver flower
Of speech that speaks not, save as speaks
The moon in heaven, yet hath power
To tell the soul the thing it seeks,
And pack, as by some wizard's art,
The whole within the finite part.

To you, sweet bird, one well might feign --
With such authority you sing
So clear, yet so profound, a strain
Into the simple ear of spring --
Some secret understanding given
Of the hid purposes of Heaven.

And all my life until this day,
And all my life until I die,
All joy and sorrow of the way,
Seem calling yonder in the sky;
And there is something the song saith
That makes me afraid of death.

Now the slow light fills all the trees,
The world, before so still and strange,
With day's familiar presences,
Back to its common self must change,
And little gossip shapes of song
The porches of the morning throng.

Not yours with such as these to vie
That of the day's small business sing,
Voice of man's heart and of God's sky --
But O you make so deep a thing
Of joy, I dare not think of pain
Until I hear you sing again.


-- Richard Le Gallienne

This poem, and the one below, taken from Great Poems of the English Language (New York: Tudor, 1927).
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Not she with traitorous kiss her Saviour stung,
Not she denied him with unholy tongue;
She, while apostles shrank, could dangers brave,
Last at the cross and earliest at the grave.


Eaton Stannard Barrett's poem, Woman, found in Great Poems of the English Language (New York: Tudor, 1927).
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"Her womb did appear as a spiritual paradise wherein is planted the divine plant whereof eating we shall live and not die as Adam." This hymn honors the Feast, our struggle, our Mother, and God. Fashioned from the side of man, Adam, the mother of all the living, Eve, bore the fruit of death to all mankind. Fashioned within the womb of woman, Mary, the New Eve, bears the Fruit of Life to the same. Brothers and Sisters, Paradise has been opened for all -- the gates of Hell eventually being trampled down by the fruit of her womb, the Son of God. Christ is born, raising the image that fell of old. This Fruit, this Day, the Son of Mary, God in human flesh, is laid in a feeding trough ... to be food for all. "Christ is Born! Glorify Him!"

Dawn Eden has more -- H E R E.

For those visiting this Blog for the first time, if you've time, I'd recommend these timely pieces:

CLOTHES

Our Savior, God & Man

The Nativity (in the words of the Fathers)

And, less enthusiastically on this holy day, the Merry Wars of Christmas & Black Friday.

Note, also, the articles in the side bar. Thanks for stopping by.

May God bless you & yours with a most holy day, season, and new year.

Christ is Born!

Glorify Him!

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It's Christmas Eve, and it was on this day in 1914 that the last known Christmas truce occurred, during World War I. German troops fighting in Belgium began decorating their trenches and singing Christmas carols. Their enemy, the British, soon joined in the caroling. The war was put on hold, and the soldiers greeted each other in "No Man's Land," exchanging gifts of whiskey and cigars. In many areas, the truce held until Christmas night, while in other places the truce did not end until New Year's Day. In one area, the opposing sides played a soccer match together.

British commanders Sir John French and Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien disapproved of the truce, and they ordered artillery bombardments on Christmas Eve in the remaining years of the war. Troops were also rotated with regularity to keep them from growing too familiar with the enemy troops in the close quarters of trench warfare. The Christmas truce was a war tradition of the 19th century, and its disappearance marked the end of wartime protocols of that time.

Taken from today's edition of The Writer's Almanac.


A Carol from Flanders
by Frederick Niven

In Flanders on the Christmas morn
The trenched foemen lay,
the German and the Briton born,
And it was Christmas Day.

Whole text ...

Thanks to Serge.

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"I behold a new and wondrous mystery!

My ears resound to the shepherd's song, piping no soft melody, but loudly chanting a heavenly hymn!

The angels sing!

The archangels blend their voices in harmony!

The cherubim resound their joyful praise!

The Seraphim exalt His glory!

All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead herein... on earth and man in heaven. He who is above now, for our salvation, dwells here below; and we, who were lowly, are exalted by divine mercy!

Today Bethlehem resembles heaven, hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices and, in place of the sun, witnessing the rising of the Sun of Justice!

Ask not how this is accomplished, for where God wills, the order of nature is overturned. For He willed He had the powers He descended. He saved. All things move in obedience to God.

Today He Who Is, is born! And He Who Is becomes what He was not! For when He was God, He became man-while not relinquishing the Godhead that is His... And so the kings have come, and they have seen the heavenly King that has come upon the earth, not bringing with Him angels, nor archangels, nor thrones, nor dominions, nor powers, nor principalities, but, treading a new and solitary path, He has come forth from a spotless womb.

Yet He has not forsaken His angels, nor left them deprived of His care, nor because of His incarnation has He ceased being God. And behold kings have come, that they might serve the Leader of the Hosts of Heaven; Women, that they might adore Him Who was born of a woman so that He might change the pains of childbirth into joy; Virgins, to the Son of the Virgin...

Infants, that they may adore Him who became a little child, so that out of the mouths of infants He might perfect praise; Children, to the Child who raised up martyrs through the rage of Herod; Men, to Him who became man that He might heal the miseries of His servants;

Shepherds, to the Good Shepherd who was laid down His life for His sheep;

Priests, to Him who has become a High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek;

Servants, to Him who took upon Himself the form of a servant, that He might bless our stewardship with the reward of freedom (Philippians 2:7);

Fishermen, to the Fisher of humanity;

Publicans, to Him who from among them named a chosen evangelist;

Sinful women, to Him who exposed His feet to the tears of the repentant woman;

And that I may embrace them all together, all sinners have come, that they may look upon the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! Since, therefore, all rejoice, I too desire to rejoice! I too wish to share the choral dance, to celebrate the festival! But I take my part, not plucking the harp nor with the music of the pipes nor holding a torch, but holding in my arms the cradle of Christ!

For this is all my hope!

This is my life!

This is my salvation!

This is my pipe, my harp!

And bearing it I come, and having from its power received the gift of speech, I too, with the angels and shepherds, sing:

"Glory to God in the Highest! and on earth peace to men of good will!"

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Thanks to FWD from Fr Miguel Grave de Peralta, 2004.
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A few days old, but worthy of note ...

Prior to the wedding, Sir Elton's "hen night" tonight will be played a video message from Bill Clinton. The minute-long recording will be played at a cabaret party at the Too2Much nightclub in Soho. A source said: "We were running through rehearsals when the tape was played. We knew Elton had good connections, but to see the ex-US president was something else."

Mr Clinton congratulates Sir Elton, 58, and David Furnish, 42, and says: "If there were more people like Elton, the world would be a better place."


For further reflection, here's what then President Clinton said in 1996 about the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)...

On Friday, September 20, prior to signing the Defense of Marriage Act, President Clinton released the following statement:

Throughout my life I have strenuously opposed discrimination of any kind, including discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans. I am signing into law H.R. 3396, a bill relating to same-gender marriage, but it is important to note what this legislation does and does not do.

I have long opposed governmental recognition of same-gender marriages and this legislation is consistent with that position. The Act confirms the right of each state to determine its own policy with respect to same gender marriage and clarifies for purposes of federal law the operative meaning of the terms "marriage" and "spouse".

This legislation does not reach beyond those two provisions. It has no effect on any current federal, state or local anti-discrimination law and does not constrain the right of Congress or any state or locality to enact anti-discrimination laws. I therefore would take this opportunity to urge Congress to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, an act which would extend employment discrimination protections to gays and lesbians in the workplace. This year the Senate considered this legislation contemporaneously with the Act I sign today and failed to pass it by a single vote. I hope that in its next Session Congress will pass it expeditiously.

I also want to make clear to all that the enactment of this legislation should not, despite the fierce and at times divisive rhetoric surrounding it, be understood to provide an excuse for discrimination, violence or intimidation against any person on the basis of sexual orientation. Discrimination, violence and intimidation for that reason, as well as others, violate the principle of equal protection under the law and have no place in American society.
Source
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Only 40 percent of Americans can name more than four of the Ten Commandments, and a scant half can cite any of the four authors of the Gospels. Twelve percent believe Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife. This failure to recall the specifics of our Christian heritage may be further evidence of our nation’s educational decline, but it probably doesn’t matter all that much in spiritual or political terms. Here is a statistic that does matter: Three quarters of Americans believe the Bible teaches that “God helps those who help themselves.” That is, three out of four Americans believe that this uber-American idea, a notion at the core of our current individualist politics and culture, which was in fact uttered by Ben Franklin, actually appears in Holy Scripture. The thing is, not only is Franklin’s wisdom not biblical; it’s counter-biblical. Few ideas could be further from the gospel message, with its radical summons to love of neighbor. On this essential matter, most Americans—most American Christians—are simply wrong, as if 75 percent of American scientists believed that Newton proved gravity causes apples to fly up.

About the Author: Bill McKibben, a scholar-in-residence at Middlebury College, is the author of many books, including The End of Nature and Wandering Home: A Long Walk Across America’s Most Hopeful Landscape. His last article for Harper’s Magazine, “The Cuba Diet,” appeared in the April 2005 issue.

This is The Christian Paradox, a feature, originally from August 2005, published Thursday, September 15, 2005. It is part of Features, which is part of Harpers.org.

Thanks to FWD from Fr Victor Potapov.
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* Jesus and Lucifer are brothers

* Man evolved into a god/God

* Man’s “fall” in the Garden of Eden was a good thing (eg. a fall upward)

* Mary had sexual relations with “God” (while in the form of a man) so that she could give birth to Jesus

* “God” (Heavenly Father) only refers to the god/God of planet Earth

* Mormons have the hope of becoming gods/Gods of their own planets and produce “spirit children”, who will then be born physically on that planet

* There are millions/billions? of planets in the universe, each with their own god/God [polytheism]

* There are three levels of eternal existence

* After the death of a Mormon couple, the woman will only be resurrected if her husband calls her forth by her “secret name”

Taken from Comments H E R E.
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1) This is one of the most concise descriptions of jurisdictional soup -- and the desire for reconciling recipes -- that I've seen: A Parable of Orthodox Unity.

2) Have you been into Belial's Books lately?

3) Did you know the Orthodox Church is, gulp ... Evangelical?
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Christmas is a time for clothes. It is one of the few times that I notice clothes. Even before wearing a jibbee – a clerical robe – I’d never been much of a clotheshorse or trendsetter. Thanks to Christmas, I’ve never bought much clothing for myself. Ever.

This time of year finds even the houses, trees, and pets clothed in festive array. During the season, you will see some of the oddest outfits that you will ever see, and many of the prettiest will remain on the mannequin. ‘Tis the dressiest time of the year.

Christmas and clothes, they go hand in hand. In fact, at some age, usually in your late teens, for some reason, most of the presents you receive become clothes. For this I am truly grateful, else I may still be wearing platform shoes and silk shirts. (Though, perhaps, I would now be in style?)

In fact, the reason for the Feast and season is God became flesh. God spoke, and this Word put on humanity that we might put on divinity. The Word was clothed with human flesh. Within the Virgin Mary the Word was clothed with human flesh and Christ was born God dressed in human flesh.

St. Paul writes, “So before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” [Gal.3:27].

It is only in being clothed in Christ that we can be in a right relationship with God. Christ clothed himself in humanity that we might be clothed in righteousness. Before Christ, there was the law. With Christ, there is no other way to stand in a right (just) relationship with God lest we be clothed in Christ. Just as our Lady the Most Holy Theotokos answered “Be it unto me according to thy word,” we, too, may take on Christ. Through the womb of the baptismal font we are born anew in Christ – marked, clothed as His own forever. Like the Mother of God before us, having been born anew in Christ, being justified by faith, we may bear Christ to the world.

This season shall be celebrated with gift giving. Yet, as the concluding prayer of the Divine Liturgy, the Prayer behind the Ambon, states: “For every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from Thee, the Father of Lights.” Thus it is that the time may come during all the secular hoopla of the season that we ask ourselves “Am I doing this right? Is this the way to celebrate the birth of Christ?”

What is the “right” way to celebrate the birth of our Saviour? No matter how we answer this question, one thing is certain: Clothes. We’ll put them on, we’ll try them on, we’ll give them, and we’ll receive them. Soon we may find that we’ve outgrown ‘em. (The season does have a way of clothing you with a few more pounds!) Nonetheless, somewhere amid all the cares, burdens, and worries of the Fast and festive season, you’ll ask yourself “Am I doing this right?”

Whether we celebrate something once in a lifetime or annually we have a tendency to want to do it right – as if the moment depends on us! Usually, we overdo it. Our sinful pride clouds our vision. We think the more we do, the better things will be. We fall prey to the Serpent’s lie from the tree and view ourselves as gods. (Didn't this lead to worries about clothing to begin with?)

There is nothing you can do to make things “right.” This has been done for you. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This is right. It is this we prepare to celebrate during this season. We celebrate what God has done, is doing, shall do ... for those who believe.

So, in order to celebrate in a right, Orthodox, way: LOVE. Love one another with the same love that receives the King of Glory and wraps Him in swaddling cloths [Lk.2:12]. Do not worry about what you shall receive. Do not worry if you’re doing things right. For God clothed in flesh said, “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” [Mt. 6:28-30].

But oh how we worry through the months of December and January. We worry about our bills, our plans, our possessions ... ourselves. Yet, in order to see God clothed in human flesh, we must look with the eyes of faith. For often during times like these, our Lord comes to us. How? “For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed me” [Mt.25:35-36]. We must look, with the eyes of faith, beyond ourselves.

For, “The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength” [Ps.9:31]. Yet this same Lord, the King of glory, we often clothe with a robe of purple. We fashion a crown of thorns. We spit upon Him – and, in His time of trial and agony, we walk away from Him. After all, we have our own cares.

May God be gracious unto us and forgive us. Let us love one another with a holy love during the Nativity Fast. Let us forget the cares and occupations of this temporary home and build up treasures in heaven. Forgive one another. Love one another. Be clothed with the King of Glory and let that Light shine round about you! Be ye holy as He is holy!

The perfect gift cannot be found in the mall, but in the manger. The perfect gift, God is! God clothed Himself in our flesh for our salvation. The manger is a feeding trough and God is now our food. So let us prepare with eyes of faith to see the King of Glory, God in human flesh, in the manger – the chalice of our salvation! Let us receive Him into our hearts as once did Mary. Let us partake of this heavenly food and rejoice! “Let your priests be clothed with righteousness. Let your saints shout for joy!” [Ps.132:9]

“Make ready, O Bethlehem, for Eden hath been opened for all. Prepare, O Ephratha, for the tree of life hath blossomed forth in the cave from the Virgin; for her womb did appear as a spiritual paradise in which is planted the divine Plant, whereof eating we shall live and not die as Adam. Christ shall be born, raising the image that fell of old” [Proskomedia prayer].

New clothes. Yes, that is truly what the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour is all about.


A version of this piece first appeared in The Word in 1996, on this Blog in 2004, and, most recently, in the St George Messenger. (Forgive me for, uh -- ahem -- wearing it out.)
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Commentary by Dana Symeon Kees:

Stealing things that don’t belong to one’s self is wrong. I hope the statue is recovered, but perhaps the thieves could just give the museum 5 million dollars and offer the big ominous piece of metal to a good sculptor who could make something nice out of it before returning it. The British once had such fine taste.

They could melt the thing publicly and pass it off as performance art. Melt a piece of modernist sculpture as performance art to protest modernist art. What a marvelous modernist protest again modernism that would be! Even more, some, while appalled, would consider it art, being torn by the loss of a modernist piece, while applauding the modernist protest against the status quo, even though the status quo is modernism itself!

Such is the state of Western civilization.
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Grace writes:

Imagine if this entire nation, which was believed once to be the site of the Garden of Eden, begins right now to look out of that black veil that has been thrown over it for centuries? I’m not saying a little whiff of the democratic process has that power. I guess I’m just saying that anything, even something like an election, may be enough to break the terrible suffocating grip that they have been in and free up the people to peer out and see what they see. These are the areas of the world that once brought great advances in mathematics and science. Then Mohammedism threw a great shroud over them, and they have lived in suspended animation for over a millennium, their creativity stifled and their greatness snuffed out. What if the light dawns in a darkened place? And — I’ll go ahead and say the most un-PC thing of all — what if that light is the light of Christ?
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Remember this story?

Alas, as seen here (to the left), some months may pass slower than others.

By the way, you know: Time flies whether you're having fun or not.

For instance (while I have your attention) ...

The other night, after teaching my final class on "Decanonizing the Da Vinci Code," I went into the church hall and joined the remainder of Fr John's catechism class, were they'd been baking Prosphora (holy bread). We all stood around chattering, adults passing the time.

I was blessed to be the designated parent to bring my oldest daughter home -- but, noticing that she was the only youth left, I quietly said: "You look bored."

She looked at me and, before I could comment further, said: "You were 11 once weren't you?"

Ha!

Back to the calendar of naked Bible scenes ...

On the site, they list this caveat: "All models are over 16 years old, the models under 18 have to bring a signature of their parents. So there are no laws against this project."

As you were ...
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Did you know that ALL African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa? Check it out!



Planned Parenthood Covers Its Tracks ...

Remember this discussion?

Here's an update -- with more available at The Dawn Patrol:

Planned Parenthood Golden Gate has removed from its Web site all traces of the testimonial from a girl who lauded the organization for treating her after she was raped at age 11 without telling her parents or, presumably, the authorities. The American Life League and the Family Research Council have called upon the California Attorney General to investigate. Visit ProLifeBlogs for updates.

The organization's attempt to remove evidence from its site is reminiscent of what happened several months ago when the very same Planned Parenthood chapter created an animated video showing a "Superhero for Choice" blowing up peaceful pro-lifers.


So, what do you believe about Capital Punishment?

Life in prison restrains the evil doer. But then so does death. Which biblically and according to the Fathers of the Church, death IS indeed the ultimate constraint on evil. Death is actually the blessed curse, it cuts short the days of man so he cannot wax grossly evil. Death is also referred to in our readings for the Saints during the Vigil services as a blessing: God takes the righteous early so that they will be spared the evil days to come.

More.



Here's a question for ya. Why December 25th?



Quote of the Day
"We agreed to never go to bed angry. So he never goes to bed angry! He goes to bed wrong!"



Uh, oh! Prayer in School!



Finally, how 'bout a little Bible Trivia? Test your knowledge, or lack thereof, HERE.
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Here's a portion of The Grinch Factor:

"Here's just how I'll do it:

I'll tell each Who Christian

That the liberal Whos have devised a new mission

To take away Christmas!

To mock and destroy

Till no little Who Christian is left with a toy!

And when secular Whos — most likely Who Jews —

Attempt to deny it? Why,

I'll just SPIN THE NEWS!

"I'll bluff and I'll lie; I'll sow seeds of mistrust.

Soon they'll form battle lines into

Who 'THEM' and Who 'US,'

Based on which Whos prefer

To sing out, 'Merry Christmas'

And which Whos say, 'Kwanzaa!'

Or 'None of your business!'

"They'll get so confused and so MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD ...

HT News Forum
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+ B A R T H O L O M E W
BY THE MERCY OF GOD ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE, NEW ROME, AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH, TO THE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH, GRACE, PEACE, AND MERCY FROM CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR, BORN IN BETHLEHEM

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life" (John 3:16)

Beloved Brothers and Sisters,Children in the Lord,

The human soul feels deeply the need to be loved. The widespread sense that life has no meaning, which plagues in particular our young people, is to be blamed on the absence of love. Our fellow human beings are for the most part trapped within their individual pursuits and seek to fill the emptiness caused by the lack of love with the acquisition of material goods, carnal pleasures and fame. However, the soul is only satisfied with personal recognition and love, and not these other things.

For love exists in the Lord and holds the world together, recognizes everyone by their name and is offered generously. God created the universe through His Logos out of love, so that we all may participate in the joy whose source is this unifying personal love.

However, beginning with the first created human being and ending with today's, humankind, throughout its entire history, has been rejecting the love Creator has offered to them and turned love away from their hearts; instead, they turned to the faceless world and sought unsuccessfully the recognition of their personal existence in the pursuit of superiority and self-absorbing satisfaction; they did not accept the love offered to them nor did they offer it back. As a result, a world of competition, hatred and bloodshed emerged, which we continue to experience as our daily reality.

God's love never diminishes, regardless of our rejection of it; God sent His only begotten Son to the world in human form out of love, not to judge people for having gone astray but to save the world through Him (John 3:17). He was born in a humble manger by the Virgin Mary in order to show that might, fame and material riches, in which humankind has sought joy and salvation, are not the true sources of life and happiness. Christ came to Bethlehem to bring again the message of the unconditional love of God for humankind. God has continued to offer this immense love for the two thousand years since Christ's birth. He came to the world as a weak and innocent infant, filled with love, yet threatened with death by slaughter by Herod. Herod represents a humankind that loathes love even when it is offered through the innocent and peaceful eyes of a child.

Many of today's people, who erroneously think of God as an unyielding judge, rather than as an affectionate Father who awaits the return of His prodigal son with love and forgiveness, have distanced themselves from the Incarnate God Jesus Christ, the Logos and glory of God the Father, and the consubstantial Holy Spirit; they have broken away from the life-giving and loving Holy Trinity, and thus rendered their world secular, deprived of hope in God and genuine love. They turned to substitutions for divine love, and based their hopes on the expansion of their might in the secular world, on the amassing of more wealth, the subjugation of nations, the global expansion of trade, the promulgation of ideas against God. They disregard, even deny, the reality of death, and turn to anything to alleviate the stresses that come from living without love. Some, unable to find deliverance from despair in these pursuits, are driven to reject the greatest gift of God to humankind, life itself.

Nevertheless, beloved children, the love of God is an undeniable reality. Our Lord Jesus Christ waits to be born in the heart of each of us in order to bring to everyone the meaning of life. This means that He has chosen us to enjoy life in mutual love and to experience the fulfillment of our existence in our relationship with Him, the Incarnate God, and with our fellow human beings and all creation. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him in love" (Eph. 1, 3:4).

Love is the equivalent of the foundation and the roof of a building, the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega of creation. The mysteries of the manger and the Birth, the Cross, the Resurrection, the Ascension and the continuing presence of Christ on earth, in general, point to love. The hymn of the angels that is chanted during the Nativity service, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace, good will among men" (Luke 2: 14) is an expression of the admiration angels felt when they realized the inconceivable love of God. Christ tolerated his crucifixion among outlaws not out of weakness, which is a quality unbefitting an omnipotent God; He tolerated it out of His love. All God's actions are filled with love for every single person.

Let us, then, beloved children abandon the course that leads to secularism and let us return to our Father God in repentance; let us return to Jesus Christ who was born as our brother, who came to our world out of love for us who had been deceived and had distanced ourselves from Him. His love for us is a fact. In His presence there is no fear but forgiveness, peace and joy.

May the grace, blessing and abundant mercy of God be with you all during the Nativity season and throughout your lives, unto the ages of ages.

At the Phanar, Christmas 2005
+ Patriarch of Constantinople
your fervent intercessor before God

Stolen from this excellent NEWS SITE.

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Happily stolen from Classical Anglican.
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We confess one and the same individual as perfect God and perfect Man. He is God the Word Which was flesh.

For if He was not flesh, why was Mary chosen? And if He is not God, whom does Gabriel call Lord?

If He was not flesh, who was laid in a manger? And if He is not God, whom did the angels who came down from heaven glorify? If He was not flesh, who was wrapped in swaddling clothes? And if He is not God, in whose honor did the star appear?

If He was not flesh, whom did Simeon hold in his arms? And if He is not God, to whom did Simeon say: Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace?

If He was not flesh, whom did Joseph take when he fled into Egypt? And if He is not God, who fulfilled the prophesy: Out of Egypt have I called my Son?

If He was not flesh, whom did John baptize? And if He is not God, to whom did the Father say: This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased?

If He was not flesh, who hungered in the desert? And if He is not God, unto whom did the angels come and minister?

If He was not flesh, who was invited to the marriage in Cana of Galilee? And if He is not God, who turned the water into wine?

If He was not flesh, who took the loaves in the desert? And if He is not God, who fed the five thousand men and their women and children with five loaves and two fish?

If He was not flesh, who slept in the ship? And if He is not God, who rebuked the waves and the sea?

If He was not flesh, with whom did Simon the Pharisee sit at meat? And if He is not God, who forgave the sins of the harlot?

If He was not flesh, who wore a man’s garment? And if He is not God, who healed the woman with an issue of blood when she touched His garment?

If He was not flesh, who spat on the ground and made clay? And if He is not God, who gave sight to the eyes of the blind man with that clay?

If He was not flesh, who wept at Lazarus’ grave? And if He is not God, who commanded him to come forth out of the grave four days after his death?

If He was not flesh, whom did the Jews arrest in the garden? And if He is not God, who cast them to the ground with the words: I am He?

If He was not flesh, who was judged before Pilate? And if He is not God, who frightened Pilate’s wife in a dream?

If He was not flesh, whose garments were stripped from Him and parted by the soldiers? And if He is not God, why was the sun darkened upon His crucifixion?

If He was not flesh, who was crucified on the cross? And if He is not God, who shook the foundations of the earth?

If He was not flesh, whose hands and feet were nailed to the cross? And if He is not God, how did it happen that the veil of the temple was rent in twain, the rocks were rent, and the graves were opened?

If He was not flesh, who hung on the cross between two thieves? And if He is not God, how could He say to the thief: Today thou shalt be with me in paradise?

If He was not flesh, who cried out and gave up the ghost? And if He is not God, whose cry caused the many bodies of the saints which slept to arise?

If He was not flesh, whom did the women see laid in a grave? And if He is not God, about whom did the angels say to them: He has arisen, He is not here?

If He was not flesh, whom did Thomas touch when he put his hands into the prints of the nails? And if He is not God, who entered through the doors that were shut?

If He was not flesh, who ate at the sea of Tiberias? And if He is not God, on whose orders were the nets filled with fishes?

If He was not flesh, whom did the apostles see carried up into heaven? And if He is not God, who ascended to the joyful cries of the angels, and to whom did the Father proclaim: sit at My right hand?

If He is not God and man then, indeed, our salvation is false, and false are the pronouncements of the prophets.


Taken from the most excellent little book, A Spiritual Psalter, from the works of St Ephraim the Syrian, excerpted by St Theophan the Recluse.
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In my amateur critique of the Presiding Bishop's 2005 Christmas Poem, I was taken to task in the Comments about my implication that, after the Fall, Man was clothed with flesh -- as opposed to dead animal skins. I love this subject. It is also a subject which will naturally be given short shrift in Blog format. Be that as it may ...

Genesis 3:21 -- Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make them coats of skins, and clothed them.

St Gregory of Nyssa says this means that they literally put on "coats of skins," but it also means, figuratively, that they became clothed in a different kind of flesh; that is, their nature was changed. Fr Seraphim Rose, Genesis, Creation, and Early Man.

As St. Gregory says, "from the nature of dumb animals mortality is transferred to a nature created for immortality." Only for man is death contrary to nature and mortality is evil. Florovsky on Gregory of Nyssa -- taken from the late Bishop Alexander's resourceful SITE.

In order, then, that man might not be an undying or ever-living evil, as would have been the case if sin were dominant within him, as it had sprung up in an immortal body, and was provided with immortal sustenance, God for this cause pronounced him mortal, and clothed him with mortality. For this is what was meant by the coats of skins, in order that, by the dissolution of the body, sin might be altogether destroyed from the very roots, that there might not be left even the smallest particle of root from which new shoots of sin might again burst forth. St. Methodius, Discourse on the Resurrection.

But when through the Devil's malice and the woman's caprice, to which she succumbed as the more tender, and which she brought to bear upon the man, as she was the more apt to persuade, alas for my weakness! (for that of my first father was mine), he forgot the Commandment which had been given to him; he yielded to the baleful fruit; and for his sin he was banished, at once from the Tree of Life, and from Paradise, and from God; and put on the coats of skins ... that is, perhaps, the coarser flesh, both mortal and contradictory. This was the first thing that he learnt--his own shame; and he hid himself from God. Yet here too he makes a gain, namely death, and the cutting off of sin, in order that evil may not be immortal. Thus his punishment is changed into a mercy; for it is in mercy, I am persuaded, that God inflicts punishment. St. Gregory Nazianzen, Oration 38, on the Theophany

MAN, then, was thus snared by the assault of the arch-fiend, and broke his Creator's command, and was stripped of grace and put off his confidence with God, and covered himself with the asperities of a toilsome life (for this is the meaning of the fig-leaves); and was clothed about with death, that is, mortality and the grossness of flesh (for this is what the garment of skins signifies); and was banished from Paradise by God's just judgment, and condemned to death, and made subject to corruption. St. John Damascene, Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, III, 1
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The philosopher Daniel Dennett visited us at the University of Delaware a few weeks ago and gave a public lecture entitled “Darwin, Meaning, Truth, and Morality.” I missed the talk—I was visiting my sons at Notre Dame and taking in the Notre Dame-Navy football game. Friends told me what I missed, however. Dennett claimed that Darwin had shredded the credibility of religion and was, indeed, the very “destroyer” of God. In the question session, philosophy professor Jeff Jordan made the following observation to Dennett, “If Darwinism is inherently atheistic, as you say, then obviously it can’t be taught in public schools.” “And why is that?” inquired Dennett, incredulous. “Because,” said Jordan, “the Supreme Court has held that the Constitution guarantees government neutrality between religion and irreligion.” Dennett, looking as if he’d been sucker-punched, leaned back against the wall, and said, after a few moments of silence, “clever.” After another silence, he came up with a reply: He had not meant to say that evolution logically entails atheism, merely that it undercuts religion.

Jeff Jordan’s question underlines how the self-appointed defenders of the scientific method are trying to have it both ways. Don’t allow religious philosophy to intrude into biology classrooms and texts, they say, for that is to soil the sacred precincts of science, which must be reserved for hypotheses that can be rigorously tested and confronted with data. The next minute they are going around claiming that anti-religious philosophy is part and parcel of the scientific viewpoint.

One of the glories of science is that people come together to do it who have all sorts of religious beliefs, philosophical views, cultural backgrounds, and political opinions. But as scientists they speak the same language. It is a wonderful fellowship. I have written research papers with colleagues (and friends) who are fierce atheists and think my Catholic beliefs are for the birds, and they know that I think their atheism is for the birds. Yet we respect each other as scientists. People like Dennett who wish to equate science with their own philosophical views (presumably out of vanity) risk doing immeasurable harm both to science itself and to its prestige. He is entitled to his philosophical opinions, but he is not entitled to claim them as the utterances of Science.

Taken from H E R E.
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For further reading, thanks to Fr Seraphim Holland's SITE, here's some other writing (prose and verse) concerning the Incarnation.

On the Night of Nativity
St. Ephraim the Syrian

Pure is the present night, in which the Pure One appeared, Who came to purify us! Let our hearing be pure, and the sight of our eyes chaste, and the feeling of the heart holy, and the speech of the mouth sincere!

The present night is the night of reconciliation; therefore, let no one be wroth against his brother and offend him!

This night gave peace to the whole world, and so, let no one threaten. This is the night of the Most Meek One; let no one be cruel!

This is the night of the Humble One; let no one be proud!

Now is the day of joy; let us not take revenge for offences! Now is the day of good will; let us not be harsh. On this day of tranquility, let us not become agitated by anger!

Today God came unto sinners; let not the righteous exalt himself over sinners!

Today the Most Rich One became poor for our sake; let the rich man invite the poor to his table!

Today we received a gift which we did not ask for; let us bestow alms to those who cry out to us and beg!

The present day has opened the door of heaven to our prayers; let us also open our door to those who ask of us forgiveness!

Today the Godhead placed upon Himself the seal of humanity, and humanity has been adorned with the seal of the Godhead!
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... He comes not as a fierce man of war, threatening all things living with death, but as a newly born babe, bringing the hope of rebirth and life into the entire realm of death; He comes--but the land of destruction does not meet, does not embrace, does not praise, does not even see its Saviour, and does not hear the Word of God keeping silence in a manger. Virtually in vain does the glory which Jesus Christ had with God the Father before the world was (John 17:5) on the lips of the angels, follow Him descending into the world and pursuing Him, attain even unto the earth.

Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow
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... The incorporeal and incorruptible and immaterial Word of God entered our world. In one sense, indeed, He was not far From it before, for no part of creation had ever been without Him Who, while ever abiding in union with the Father, yet fills all things that are. But now He entered the world in a new way, stooping to our level in His love and Self-revealing to us.

St. Athanasius the Great
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... Today the Lord is born, the life and salvation of mankind; today a reconciliation is made of Divinity to humanity, and of humanity to Divinity; today all creation has leapt for joy; those above sent toward those below; and those below towards those above; today occurred the death of darkness and the life of humanity; today a way was made toward God for man and a way for God into the soul.

St. Macarius the Great
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...He comes not as a fierce man of war, threatening all things living with death, but as a newly born babe, bringing the hope of rebirth and life into the entire realm of death; He comes--but the land of destruction does not meet, does not embrace, does not praise, does not even see its Saviour, and does not hear the Word of God keeping silence in a manger. Virtually in vain does the glory which Jesus Christ had with God the Father before the world was (John 17:5) on the lips of the angels, follow Him descending into the world and pursuing Him, attain even unto the earth."

Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow
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He became a servant on earth; He was Lord on high. Inheritor of the height and depth, Who became a stranger. But the One Who was judged wrongly will judge in truth, and He in Whose face they spat, breathed the spirit into the face. He Who held a weak reed was the scepter for the world that grows old and leans on Him. He Who stood [and] served His servants, sitting, will be worshipped. He Whom the Scribes scorned -- the Seraphim sang "holy" before Him.

St. Ephraim the Syrian, Hymns on the Nativity
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He who sits at the right hand of the Father goes without shelter at the inn, that He may for us prepare many mansions in the house of His heavenly Father ... He was born, not in the house of His parents, but at the inn, by the wayside, because through the mystery of the Incarnation He is become the Way, by which He guides us to our home .

Venerable Bede
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Jesus Christ, radiant center of glory, image of our God, the invisible Father, revealer of His eternal designs, prince of peace; Father of the world to come. For our sake he took the likeness of a slave, becoming flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary, for our sake, wrapped in swaddling bands and laid in a manger adored by the shepherds and hymned by the angelic powers, who sang: Glory to God in the heavens and on earth peace and good to men. Make us worthy, Lord, to celebrate and to conclude in peace the feast which magnifies the rising of Thy light, by avoiding empty words, working with justice, fleeing from the passions, and raising up the spirit above earthly goods. Bless Thy Church, formed long ago to be united with Thou through Thy life-giving blood. Come to the aid of Thy faithful shepherds, of the priests and the teachers of the Gospel. Bless Thy faithful whose only hope is in Thy mercy; Christian souls, the sick, those who are tormented in spirit, and those who have asked us to pray for them. Have pity, in Thy infinite clemency, and preserve us in fitness to receive the future, endless, good things. We celebrate Thy glorious Nativity with the Father who sent thee for our redemption, with the life-giving Spirit, now and for ever and through all ages. Amen

an ancient Syriac liturgy
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Joseph was amazed as he saw what was supernatural. He understood, O Virgin, the rain upon the fleece In thy conception without seed. And he understood the bush that burned without fire and was unconsumed, And Aaron's rod, which blossomed. Indeed, thy betrothed and guardian cried out to the priests: "A virgin gives birth, and after the birth remains a virgin.

The Kontakia of Romanos, Vol. II, On the Annunciation II
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Melchizadek anticipated Him; he the vicar was watching to see priesthood's Lord Whose hyssop cleanses creation. Lot saw the Sodomites who perverted nature; he looked for the Lord of natures Who gave chastity beyond nature. Aaron anticipated Him - he who saw that if his staff swallowed reptiles,

His cross would swallow the Reptile that swallowed Adam and Eve. Moses saw the fixed serpent that healed the stings of basilisks, and he anticipated he would see the Healer of the first Serpent's wound.

Moses saw the he alone received the brightness of God, and he anticipated the One to come - by His teaching, the Multiplier of the godlike.

St. Ephrem the Syrian, Hymns (On the Nativity.)
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Nets and snares were fashioned, then, For the young fawn of the Virgin and Mother of God, But the trap was broken and the fawn escaped, tearing the snare.
With His mother, like a blameless deer, He fled Into Egypt, as Micah once said. O Thou Who art everywhere and Who rulest over all, where dost Thou flee?

Where dost Thou lead? In what city Shalt Thou make Thy dwelling? What house will contain Thee, what place will support Thee? No part of creation anywhere is invisible to Thy sight, But all things are laid bare to Thee, Thou art the Maker of All, O Christ. Why, then, dost Thou flee, Holy One? Because of Thee, Herod mourns as he weeps That his power will soon be destroyed.

St Romanos the Melodist - On the Massacre of the Innocents (Flight into Egypt).
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The Firstborn, Who was begotten according to His nature, underwent yet another birth outside His nature, so that we too would understand that after our natural birth, we must undergo another (birth) outside our nature. As a spiritual being, He was unable to become physical until the time of physical birth. And so too physical beings, unless they undergo another birth, cannot become spiritual. The Son, Whose birth is beyond investigation, underwent another birth which can be investigated. So, by the one we learn that His majesty is limitless, and by the other we realize that His goodness is boundless. For His majesty increases without bounds, Whose first birth cannot be imagined by any mind, and His goodness overflows without limit, Whose other birth is proclaimed by every mouth.

St. Ephrem the Syrian, Homily on Our Lord
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The Virgin today gives birth to the superessential One, And the earth proffers the cave to the unapproachable One. Angels with the shepherds sing song of praise; The Magi, with the star to guide pursue their way. For us there has been born, A newborn babe, the God before time.

Romanos the Melodist(Kontakia on the Person of Christ: On the Nativity I)
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The purpose of the advent of the Saviour, when He gave us His life-giving commandments as purifying remedies in our passionate state, was to cleanse the soul from the damage done by the first transgression and bring it back to its original state. What medicines are for a sick body, that the commandments are for the passionate soul.

St. Isaac of Syria
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The vine which produced the unfertilized fruit carried It as though in the encircling arms of the branches, and said: 'Thou, my fruit, my life, By Whom I am known as I am and was. Thou art my God. As I behold the seal of my virginity unbroken, I proclaim Thee the immutable Word become flesh. I know no seed; I know Thee as one who delivers from corruption; For I am pure after having Thee as issue from me; For Thou hast left my womb as Thou hast found it; Thou hast kept it safe. For this reason the whole creation rejoices with me, crying: Mary, full of grace.'

The Kontakia of Romanos, On the Nativity II
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Think not, therefore, it is of small things thou art hearing, when thou hearest of this birth, but rouse up thy mind, and straightway tremble, being told that God hath come upon earth. For so marvellous was this, and beyond expectation, that because of these things the very angels formed a choir, and in behalf of the world offered up their praise for them, and the prophets from the first were amazed at this, that "He was seen upon earth, and conversed with men(7)." Yea, for it is far beyond all thought to hear that God the Unspeakable, (8) the Unutterable, the Incomprehensible, and He that is equal to the Father, hath passed through a virgin's womb, and hath vouchsafed to be born of a woman, and to have Abraham and David for forefathers.

St John Chrysostom, Gospel According To St. Matthew, Homily 2
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I was raped at 11, by my 17 year old boyfriend. I chose not to tell my parents because I didn't think their involvement would help, that was the right choice for me. Planned Parethood helped me deal with the aftermath of the rape allowing me to deal and cope as best as I could in my own way. I was 14 when I decided to start having sex, the day I made that choice I made an appointment to get birth control pills. I'm 17 now, I've been with my current boyfriend for about two years. During that time i've been HIV and STD tested four times. Right now I'm sitting in the waiting room while my boyfriend gets the results for his HIV test. We love each other so we're responsible and Planned Parenthood helps us to do that.

More H E R E.
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Absolutely contrary to consolidation scenario advocated by Moscow Patriarchate, [Metropolitan] Laurus said they “are not talking about "unification," "merging" or "union" with the Moscow Patriarchate, but of reconciliation of the two parts of the Russian Orthodox Church.”

But this is not the scenario advocated by Moscow Patriarchate that expects the Outside Church to acknowledge itself an integral part of the Russian Orthodox Church and yield to the Patriarch ruling. Even last year the higher clergy in Russia counted on solving the issue before another Synode slated for 2008. Now it seems vain hopes were built at that time.

A little more.
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A few thoughts -- actually, a goodly measure of criticism -- on the Presiding Bishop's 2005 Christmas Message ...


from Episcopal News Service



Incarnation

is God's shocking insistence that flesh and blood like ours

be the medium of God's Word.

No abstraction,

no lofty vision,

no finely wrought dogma,

no sacred tradition can mollify the shock of this truth:

As one of us

The Word comes to dwell among us

and within us,

as a newborn child,

as Jesus.

May our flesh and blood too be made the route of Christ's continuing self-gift

to our world

in words and deeds of love and truth,

mercy and indignation,

healing and forgiveness.

Let us dare to welcome the Word.

The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold
Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church, USA
HT Classical Anglican


Incarnation

is God's shocking insistence that flesh and blood like ours

be the medium of God's Word.

The Incarnation was necessitated by the Fall. Having been "clothed with skin" only after the Fall, Adam and Eve were cast out of Paradise. From then on, anyone clothed in skin is sure to die. Thus, it was necessary for God to take on human flesh to free us from eternal death, thereby rescuing us, God save us, back toward Paradise.

Divorcing the Incarnation from the reality of the Fall and Redemption is, one must admit, lacking in the Bishop's poem. It could be that current Episcopalian theology may also lack the concept.

No abstraction,

no lofty vision,

no finely wrought dogma,

no sacred tradition can mollify the shock of this truth:

What is Bishop Griswold saying here? Without the "sacred tradition" of the Prophets of old, the people of Israel, without Divine revelation, we wouldn't even be discussing this poem. You cannot separate the Incarnation from God's preceding revelation, the Law and the Prophets.

I'll leave the word "abstraction" for someone smarter to parse, but "lofty vision" and "finely wrought dogma" are, I would maintain, part and parcel of the Incarnation itself.

As one of us

The Word comes to dwell among us

and within us,

as a newborn child,

as Jesus.

True, the Word comes to dwell among us and as a newborn child. But, within us? The Word dwells within us? This is the part of the Incarnation? I am Mary hear me roar?

May our flesh and blood too be made the route of Christ's continuing self-gift

to our world

in words and deeds of love and truth,

mercy and indignation,

healing and forgiveness.

Let us dare to welcome the Word.

I have no idea what this sentence means: May our flesh and blood too be made the route of Christ's continuing self-gift

This, it appears to me, is pure humanism which denies the Divine nature and the centrality of Incarnational worship, the Eucharist. I realize that Bishop Griswold is encouraging his flock to be Christ to a needy world. But, really, Christ is the gift, if you will, that keeps on giving -- not us!

Did he really say mercy and indignation ?

That's bold for the Primate who has seen thousands of indignant God-fearing believers flee his church in search of lofty vision, finely wrought dogma, and sacred tradition.

The Bishop uses the words shocking and shock in his brief poem. This seems appropriate because, as of late, no church has been more shocking and left believers in such a state of shock as has Bishop Griswold's.

Mercy!

I mean, what exactly are contented Episcopalians -- his audience, I assume -- supposed to be indignant about?
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Each one of us, whenever we turn from God, whenever we sin, makes the coming of the Christ child necessary. Christ is born only to save us. Our preparation for Christmas should be much more than putting up decorations, buying gifts and sending out cards, none of which is a bad thing. Giving gifts to people and sending greetings are, in fact, good things, but they easily can become our sole focus and preparation.

Full text.
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The “winter program” at Ridgeway Elementary School In Dodgeville, Wisconsin, changed the lyrics of the Christmas carol “Silent Night” to the more inclusive “Cold in the Night.” (“Cold in the night, no one in sight, winter winds whirl and bite.” ) After this success, the program’s next step will obviously be:

a) Changing “O Holy Night” to “Uh-oh! Wholly night!” a song about a lunar eclipse

b) Singing “O Little Town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.”

c) A song celebrating the comeback of the American auto industry, “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Ford.”

d) A ditty about hoping for snow at the Panama Canal, “I’m dreaming of a white isthmus.”

The modern name for Christmas trees is now ...

HT News Forum
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Flying solo, surrounded by Greeks not Geeks, I have no idea what I should, otherwise, be doing.
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I saw a billboard the other day: "Let Us Pimp Your Ride!" It looked to be a respectable business. The terms pimp and pimpin' have weasled their way onto everyman's tongue. Here's a man who is fed up wid it.


So you're upset cuz the retail gal didn't say "Merry Christmas" after you'd spoiled your younguns with a few hundred dollars' more foreign made electronics? Why?

Whatever happened to Separation of Church & Store?
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The Episcopal Diocese of Newark, for years the epitome of liberal Protestant Christianity in America, acknowledged Thursday in an unusually candid report that it has suffered a steep slide in membership and needs a bishop who can revitalize its struggling parishes.

The diocese, which covers seven northern New Jersey counties including Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Morris, has lost nearly 24,000 congregants, or 46 percent of its membership, since 1972. That's nearly three times the average decline in the Episcopal Church nationwide, the report said.

The report blames the exodus from the pews mostly on what it says is a failure of Episcopalians to welcome newcomers, enthusiastically discuss their faith with outsiders and maintain vibrant and creative parishes.

"We are not welcoming the Christ in many of our neighbors, who think we are exclusive, irrelevant, passe or boring," it said. "For some, we are too radical."

The report doesn't signal a retreat from the diocese's liberal positions. On the contrary, it celebrates a tradition of social justice that it says dates back to the early 20th century and includes bishops who spoke out on issues ranging from child labor to racism to the Vietnam War. Under Croneberger and his predecessor, Bishop John Shelby Spong, the diocese ordained numerous gay priests and performed blessings for same-sex couples. About 20 openly gay and lesbian priests work in the diocese, which has 27,600 members and 113 parishes.

Full article.

HT New Forum
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Priests to marry.

Literally!
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The council’s four sessions from 1962 to 1965 and its 16 landmark documents modernized the liturgy, renewed the priesthood and religious life, enhanced the role of lay Catholics, opened dialogue with other churches and non-Christians, and identified the church as the “people of God” attuned to the problems and hopes of the world.

Although the council defined no new dogma, Catholics who lived through the Vatican II era will never forget the changes — some of them abrupt — that visited their church communities in the mid-1960s.

Altars were turned around so that priests faced the people. The Mass in Latin gave way to Mass in the vernacular. Other sacraments were updated and simplified. Men and women religious adopted a more modern form of dress.

The [partisan] whole story.


Russian Orthodox Church backs Vatican on gay seminarians

The Bible, Father Vyzhanov observed, condemns homosexual acts in terms that "do not leave any room for a different interpretation." He said that Orthodox believers have trouble comprehending Protestant groups that have given their blessing to same-sex unions.

The Orthodox Church spokesman said that exclusion of homosexuals from seminaries and from the priesthood should be a common policy, since homosexuality can never be accepted as normal, and those who have same-sex attraction must be understood to "suffer from a serious illness."

Short Story.
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Back a day early from a planned two day camping trip to a state park near Gonzales. Why are we back early? Because it's

C

O

L

D


in Texas!

Especially out in the woods between a pond and a river! I was surprised at how warm I was through the night in my sleeping bag ... but it was whiling away the daylight hours that looked grim. [Everyone was grateful that dad, that would be me, had decided not to take the canoe ... 'cuz, of course, fun would have been en-f-f-f-f-f-orced.] On Thursday the predicted high was in the 30's with the night's temp dipping to the 20's.

The day before we arrived in Gonzales, they'd had freezing rain and sleet. In Texas!

As we were nearing the park, we saw icicles hanging from the street signs. "Ha, ha, ha!" said I, "Who cares? We're the Huneycutts! We're from Western North Carolina!"

He he. Back in Houston, in doors, heat on.

Texas!
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What’s missing from the White House Christmas card? Christmas.

This month, as in every December since he took office, President Bush sent out cards with a generic end-of-the-year message, wishing 1.4 million of his close friends and supporters a happy “holiday season.”

More with Mollie.


The card features a snowy scene of the South Portico by artist Jamie Wyeth, a quotation from Psalm 28, and the message: "With best wishes for a holiday season of hope and happiness 2005."

"Junk mail," said Joseph Farah, editor of the conservative Web site WorldNetDaily.com, who added that he tossed his White House card into the trash. "The Bushes have been tiptoeing around Christmas for five years. It's nothing new."

And, the Washington Times.
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Lest we forget.

St Nicholas, pray to God for us!
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Well, you just can't please everyone!

Wrt, post below ...
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Nuremberg pastor Bernd Grasser said: "It's just wonderful when teenagers commit themselves with their hair and their skin to the bible."

"There's a whole range of biblical scriptures simply bursting with eroticism," said Stefan Wiest, 32, who took the racy photographs.

Anne Rohmer, 21, wearing garters and stockings, posed on a doorstep as the prostitute Rahab.

"We wanted to represent the Bible in a different way and to interest young people," she told news agency Reuters.

"Anyway, it doesn't say anywhere in the Bible that you are forbidden to show yourself nude."

Okay, for those who only read the articles, here tis.

H/T THUNDERSTRUCK

First of all, uh, no.

Secondly ... see First.

Wait a minute ... Come to think of it, Who's on First?

Jesus says "anyone who rejects the Works of My Holy Spirit is rejecting Me, for the Holy Spirit and I are One and the same" Now that’s not quite right! That is not right at all! In fact "The Holy Spirit and I are One and the same" (3) Jesus goes on to say "remember that I am Spirit, and all I have I share with your spirit, you and I are One, linked in union of Love" (4).

Here.

But, if you've the time, read this one first.

Finally, really, enough with the calendar already.
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