Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ; the Holy Martyr Juliana of Nicomedia (284-305)
Hebrews 8:7-13; Mark 8:11-21
Nativity Fast.
Read Hebrews 8:7-13
It’s a few days before the Feast of the Nativity. Usually, we would be busying ourselves with preparations for large family gatherings for the Sviat Vechir (Holy Meal) on Christmas Eve, and then again on Christmas Day. With the current coronavirus pandemic, many of us are experiencing complete lockdowns to curb its spread, and we may find ourselves with a little more time as our familial celebrations are necessarily toned down. Despite these changes, the Feast of the Nativity is still celebrated. With the angels and shepherds, with the most holy Mother of God and Joseph, and with all creation we will still offer our songs of praise to the fact that God became a man in order to save us so that we could be like Him by grace as He is by nature.
Today’s selection from the Letter to the Hebrews gives us an opportunity to marvel at the mystery of the Incarnation, the Word become flesh. The writer is explaining why the priesthood of Jesus, our Master, is greater than the priesthood determined by the Old Covenant that the Lord established with Israel. At this point in the letter, a section of the prophecy of Jeremiah is quoted (See Jeremiah 31:31-34). From this selection we learn a few things:
- The Lord Himself told His people that the present covenant (the Old Covenant) was not fully satisfactory. The Lord will establish a new covenant.
- This new covenant will not only be new in quality but also new in kind. This new covenant will let the old covenant age into decay.
- This new covenant will have a new scope. It will include Israel and Judah – they will be united.
- The new covenant will be universal—it will be with all peoples.
- While the old covenant was external, written on tablets, the new covenant will be written upon the hearts and minds of people.
- Whereas the old covenant demanded obedience to the Law by one’s own efforts, the new covenant will be based on the love of God. Everything will be based on His grace.
As we meditate on the mystery of salvation over these next few days, let’s join the whole Church in singing the pre-festal troparion for this time:
(Tone 4) Bethlehem, make ready, for Eden has been opened for all. Ephrathah, be alert, for the Tree of Life has blossomed forth from the Virgin in the cave. Her womb has become a spiritual paradise wherein the divine Fruit was planted, and if we eat of it, we shall live and not die like Adam. Christ is coming forth to bring back to life the likeness that had been lost in the beginning.