To us is born a little Child, the pre-eternal God.

On a cold and icy evening here in Ontario, here is something to mark the Feast of the Nativity of Christ according to the Old (Julian) Calendar. The photo above was taken at the end of Nativity Matins last night at St. Elias Church, as those who had made it to the end of the three-hour Vigil service sang a round of Ukrainian Christmas carols before heading downstairs for a midnight snack and further fellowship. For reflection on the meaning of this Christmas Season, I invite you to consider the words of the Nativity Kontakion penned in the sixth century by Romanos the Melodist:

The Virgin today gives birth to Him who is above all being;
the earth offers the cave to Him whom no one can approach;
angels with shepherds give Him glory,
while Magi make their way with a star,
for to us is born a little Child, the pre-eternal God.

Christ is born! Glorify him! AMDG.