I’m sorry this Post is two days late. A nasty Virus laid me low, and I missed all the beautiful Christmas services. Bah! Humbug!
Nevertheless:
Christ is born. Glorify Him.
I don’t like to begin with this, but it’s important:
January 7 is Christmas (old Julian calendar) in Russia.
The great majority of Orthodox jurisdictions in the world celebrate Christmas on December 25. I believe only three (Russia, Serbia and Jerusalem – and also Mount Athos) still follow the Julian calendar.
Here is Vladimir Putin at Christmas Liturgy on January 7, 2025.
On January 7, 2025, this was how else Vladimir Putin honored the Birth of our Lord:
“Ukraine says Orthodox Christmas strikes by Russia have killed more than a dozen people, including children, in the east and south of the country. The attacks came as Vladimir Putin vowed on the eve of Orthodox Christmas to back soldiers who, in his words, ‘with arms in hands, defend Russia’s interests.’”
Brothers and sisters, please pray for Vladimir Putin and his Patriarch Kirill.
Please pray for the suffering people of Ukraine.
Orthodox Music of Christmas
I was never able to think of what to say in a Christmas homily. Partly because the theme is too overwhelming to get into a few words – and partly because the congregation is eager to get home, and I knew they wouldn’t be paying much attention, anyway. (“Will this priest please hush, so we can get on with Christmas…”) God bless them for coming to church at all!
The best way I know to celebrate the Birth of Our Lord is not to talk about it but to sing about it.
Orthodox music for Christ’s Nativity is very different from “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Away in a Manger” and the like. If you’re not accustomed to it, it may take some getting used to.
Again this year, I’ve searched for some of the best Orthodox Christmas music I can find. First, liturgical music ; then carols from all over the world.
Listening to all this will do your heart and soul good, but it will take some time. If you can’t handle it all today, consider coming back during the rest of Christmas season to hear the rest. We’ll still be here.
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Liturgical Music
From the Vigil before Divine Liturgy for the Nativity
This is from the Slavic tradition. Orthodox choral music such as this has been developed in the past few hundred years, based on earlier chants. This is sung by the choir at Saint Symeon’s Orthodox Church (OCA), Birmingham Alabama.
A Hymn from the Ninth Hour of the Service of the Royal Hours for the Nativity.
This is normally served on the day before the Nativity. Despite the title on the video, this is definitely not a “Christmas Carol”. This is Byzantine chant, powerfully sung in Middle Eastern style.
The Feast of the Holy Nativity
Nativity Matins Prokeimenon
This is sung immediately before the Holy Gospel at Matins/Orthros for the Nativity, here again by the choir of Saint Symeon’s Church in Birmingham.
This is from the Nativity Canon – a series of hymns sung at Matins.
I think this is the Alleluia Psalm sung before the Holy Gospel in the tradition of the Coptic Orthodox Church, which is very unfamiliar to me.
The Christmas Troparion/Apolytikion is the “keynote” hymn, sung at all services during the Feast of the Nativity.
“Your Nativity, O Christ our God, has shone to the world the Light of knowledge; or by it, those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness,1 and to know You, the Dayspring from on High. O Lord, glory to You!”
This is sung in Slavic tradition by the choir of Saint Mary’s OCA Cathedral in Minneapolis, Minnesota:
This is Byzantine, courtesy of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
The Kontakion for the Nativity, Byzantine, sung by Eikona
Megalynarion (Hymn to the Mother of God) sung towards the end of the Anaphora (prayer of consecration of the Holy Gifts of bread and wine). by the choir of Saint Symeons’, Birmingham, Alabama.
Orthodox Christmas Carols
A Ukrainian Carol
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A Carol in Aramaic (the language Our Lord Jesus spoke)
Courtesy of Faraj Fahaji
English translation: “Hallel hallel hallel hallelujah, Praise the Son of God as in times of old Hallel hallel hallel hallelunoy, Praise the Son of God as in times of old The angels of the highest in Bethlehem, The angels of the highest in Bethlehem. Holy holy holy Lord, Only begotten of the Father. Holy holy holy Lord, Only begotten of the Father. Holy holy holy Lord, Our salvation, which is shining for all. Holy holy holy Lord, Jewel of secret prophecies! Holy holy holy Lord, Jewel of secret prophecies! Holy holy holy Lord, The promise of allegiance is true faith! Hallelujah Christ by His birth, saved us from misguidance, Accept our service, and have mercy on us! Lord of angels, and archangels, Accept our service, and have mercy on us!”
A Greek Carol.
It is the custom for childen to go from door to door singing on Christmas Eve.
English translation: Good evening Kings, if it’s your will, at the divine birth of Christ I’ll sing in your mansion. Christ is born today, in the city of Bethlehem. The heavens are rejoicing, all nature rejoices. Inside the cave is being born, in a manger of horses, the King of heavens, The Creator of all. In this house we’ve come to, may no stone ever crack, and may the master of the house live for many years!
A sweet Serbian Carol.
Angels Sing (lyrics)
the night so grand and placid,
a star shining over the cave,
the mother sleeping in the cave,
where the angel of Jesus hast been.
the angels are singing,
the sheperds are fluting,
the angels are singing,
the wise bring it forth:
what the nations awaited,
what the prophets had said,
here and now it is announced,
Christ, our Redeemer is born!
for the Salvation of us all.
halleluya, halleluya,
Lord, have mercy!
“Angelic Chant of Nuns from Camarzani Monastery in Romania.” Here is their description: The Song is called “Din Cer Senin” (From the Clear Blue Sky). The Song is enriched by an insight in a men’s Monastery in Abkhazia: 
• Служба в соборе Святого Пантелеймона … Lyrics: From the Clear Blue Sky (x2)”
Here’s the text. Be sure watch the video, which is extraordinarily beautiful.
From the clear blue sky, a divine choir Can be heard sweetly singing. (x2) Gifted shepherds appear on the hill Bringing white lambs as gifts. (x2) A star on the horizon watching over the paths, Shining in the distance (x2) Leads the magi with their precious gifts Carried in white bags. (x2) And a frail infant with a holy face Sits quietly smiling. (x2) And His Mother was cradling Him And everbody was joyous. (x2) And the holy sky and this earth Were illuminated by the Infant. (x2) And they became holy and they received God’s grace Those who let Him in. (x2) And us, having seen this, we pray And we kiss His face. (x2) Yearning to devote our lives to Him And to praise Him forever. (x2) From the clear blue sky, a divine choir Can be heard sweetly singing.”
A Western Orthodox Carol
Did you know that the Orthodox Church has Western Rite parishes, following the rite of Western Christianity before the Great Schism? This is sung by the choir of Saint Patrick’s Orthodox (Antiochian Archdiocese) in Bealeton, Virginia.
Personal note: In Episcopalian seminary I was part of a Motet group who sang this kind of music. It is holy music. I miss it.
O Magnum Mysterium was written in the Tenth Century. The Latin text, in English: O great and wonderful Mystery, that animals should see the newborn Lord, lying in a manger! O blessed virgin, whose womb was worthy to bear the Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia!
Georgian Christmas song and Procession
Alilo Georgian Christmas Procession: January 2018 ალილო ქართული საშობაო მსვლელობა
From the Coptic Orthodox Church: ”A New Christmas Song” from America in the Egyptian tradition, found on thejr Coptic “Christian Youth Channel”. (They also have a channel for converts called “Copticated”. The Copts have long been ahead of the rest of us in the use of audio-visuals. And now they’re writing new Christmas carols!
A Carol from Ethiopia: “The Savior of the World is Born Today”. Just in passing, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has 36 million members.
Let’s conclude with what I think is the most lovely of ancient (and therefore still Orthodox) Western carols: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” (in the original Latin: “Corde natus ex parentis”), written in the Fourth Century by Clemens Auxentius Prudens, a Spanish poet, philosopher and lawyer. I cannot discover the name of the choir which sings it so beautifully.
(Courtesy of life-incessant.blogspot.com)
There is so much beautiful Orthodox music, but that’s enough for now.
God grant you a continuing Merry, Blessed, Happy, Holy Christmas!
Next Week: God lying in the armsC of a teenage girl? That sounds absurd.
Week after Next: Thirty Years in Three Days