Nativity, Part 2

Yesterday, Christians of Israel, Russia, Macedonia, Serbia, Georgia, Ukraine, and Greece began the celebration of the birth of Christ. A few Old Calendar churches in the U.S. and elsewhere did as well, including the church Kathryn and I attend.

Christmas on the Orthodox Old calendar is, like everything else in Orthodox Christianity, unlike any other Christmas celebration I've previously experienced. "Western Christmas," as it is sometimes called by those who observe the old calendar, takes place as the culmination of a two-month-long exercise in market-driven chaos. It's not difficult under the circumstances to forget why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.

Old calendar churches are able to celebrate Christ's birth long after the noise has died down. As it turns out, it's easier to refocus on what's important when one isn't reminded every other second that "Santa Claus is coming to town." So, Tuesday evening we enjoyed a delightful twelve-course Lenten (meaning that it is in keeping with the fasting guidelines, i.e. no meat or oil) meal at the church, and then celebrated the Nativity Vigil. Then yesterday morning was the Nativity Divine Liturgy. It was as celebratory and dignified and worshipful as ever; and totally, completely focused on Christ, free of clutter, free of distraction.

I like old calendar Christmas because it pays no attention to what is important to the world.

And I learned yesterday that the Orthodox Church is the only church that, to this day still worships Christ with gold, frankincense, and myrrh.