The Divine Liturgy is so beautiful, so inspiring, as we really begin to immerse ourselves in it. Studying the beautiful prayers and chants of both Matins and the Divine Liturgy early in the morning this Christmas Eve, then immersing myself in it during the services, so many beautiful thoughts passed through my mind, and I wanted to write them down.
The Light that wanted to enter the world from the beginning has entered. God has become visible.
The Messiah whom God prepared for, prophets called out for, and the people longed for has finally appeared.
Weaving His body in Mary without human seed. Of divine seed: the Holy Spirit. Perfect, pure, divine body, human flesh woven of Light.
The radiant Child who is King and God. What did they see, when they first gazed upon Him? When they saw God shining from His face, that infinite ocean of love in His eyes, shining out at them? Joseph, Mary, the shepherds, the Wise Men? Did they fall on their knees in adoration and awe?
Did Joseph receive the Christ Child into his arms as Mary birthed Him? Was he the first to gaze upon the One who was the reason he stayed with Mary? Was this gift his reward, to be the first to receive and hold Him, touch Him, gaze upon and be overcome with the sight of Him, before swaddling and giving Him to His mother? His mother also overcome with awe and adoration at seeing the little Child she had carried beneath her heart for so long, her King and her God?
Mary the one He came to, because she was the one who simply loved. No anger, avarice or hatred, she was a girl with a simple, open, undivided heart full of love. A pure and loving girl.
He grew up quietly, in joy, enjoying His creation, loving the parents He made for Himself, until He entered His public ministry. And then He did so much.
And from the Cross dove down into Hades and then up into heaven, leading a great train of souls, the ones who also had open hearts, who heard, saw and received Him.
And He has kept on coming down, to each of us over time, seeking and saving the lost who have open, touchable hearts. Coming down into the Divine Liturgy for we who cry out to Him now, so we may also receive and carry Him beneath our hearts.
But also ruling and reigning from heaven. The just Judge, from the moment of His death judging every soul, admitting to heaven or consigning to hell, separating His open-hearted sheep from goats hardened in selfishness and sin. “Away from me, you evildoers, I never knew you.”
The just Judge of every soul who dies. Every soul who departs this life will now stand before Him. And His gaze will penetrate them as a sword penetrates flesh and cuts down into and separates bone and marrow. He sees and knows every secret, every sin, even unconscious sins we are not aware of in ourselves. He will see it all, and judge justly.
The Lord has come, continues to come, will come again in the end, until there is no more need to come, finishing His work and being fully present to us in heaven, throughout all creation, and radiating from within, for those of us who are open to Him, forever.
Wellsprings 