The First Christmas Sermon Ever Preached

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:07 pm by Tony Jones

The First Christmas Sermon Ever Preached 2015-03-13T17:07:42-05:00 Tony Jones

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

By St. John Chrysostom, December 25, 386, in Antioch

I behold a new and wondrous mystery! My ears resound to the Shepherd’s
song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn.

The Angels sing!

The Archangels blend their voices in harmony!

The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise!

The Seraphim exalt His glory!

All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on
earth, and man in heaven. He who is above, now for our redemption
dwells here below; and he that was lowly is by divine mercy raised.

Bethlehem this day resembles heaven; hearing from the stars the
singing of angelic voices; and in place of the sun, enfolds within
itself on every side the Sun of Justice.

And ask not how: for where God wills, the order of nature yields. For
He willed, he had the power, He descended, He redeemed; all things move
in obedience to God.

This day He Who Is, is Born; and He Who Is becomes what He was not.
For when He was God, He became man; yet not departing from the Godhead
that is His. Nor yet by any loss of divinity became He man, nor through
increase became he God from man; but being the Word He became flesh,
His nature, because of impassibility, remaining unchanged.

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 Dominations, 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 departed from the Godhead.

And behold,

Kings have come, that they might adore the heavenly King of glory;
Soldiers, 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 child-birth into joy;
Virgins,
to the Son of the Virgin, beholding with joy, that He Who is the Giver
of milk, Who has decreed that the fountains of the breast pour forth in
ready streams, receives from a Virgin Mother the food of infancy;
Infants, that they may adore Him Who became a little child, so that out
of the mouth of infants and sucklings, 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 has laid down His life for His sheep;
Priests, to Him Who has become a High Priest according to the order of Melchisedech;
Servants, to Him Who took upon Himself the form of a servant that He might bless our servitude with the reward of freedom;
Fishermen, to Him Who from amongst fishermen chose catchers of men;
Publicans, to Him Who from amongst them named a chosen Evangelist;
Sinful women, to Him Who exposed His feet to the tears of the repentant;

And that I may embrace them all together, all sinners have come, that
they may look upon the Lamb of God Who taketh 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, not shaking the Thyrsian staff, not with the
music of pipes, nor holding a torch, but holding in my arms the cradle
of Christ.

For this is all my hope, this my life, this my salvation,
this my pipe, my harp. And bearing it I come, and having from its power
received the gift of speech, I too, with the angels, sing:

Glory to God
in the Highest; and with the shepherds:
and on earth peace to men of good will

christianity in america

Previous Post

December 24, 2008

Comment of the Day

Next Post

December 26, 2008 Taking a Deep Breath

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category bible blogging books christianity in america church church history dissertation divorce Dog Training education emergent church essay family funny glbt jopa productions ministry minnesota movies music parenting philosophy politics Prayer publishing Questions That Haunt random same sex marriage speaking spirituality Teaching technology television theology Travels Uncategorized writing youth ministry

Select a Month January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 June 2006 May 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 June 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 August 2004 February 2004 January 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is the Christian teaching about showing hospitality?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Welcome strangers Avoid people Close your door Host only friends