Malankara World Journal, Volume 5 No. 320 December 23, 2015, Christian Spirituality from an Orthodox Perspective

Malankara World Journal Abstracts
Merry Christmas!!
Volume 5 No. 320 December 23, 2015

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US Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, Colorado Springs, CO
Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

This architectural masterpiece is a one-of-a-kind sculpture that attracts
visitors from all over the world. Winner of the Twenty-Five Year Award
from The American Institute of Architects in 1996, the award plaque states:

"An outstanding Collaboration of Design and Technology.
This ICON of cleanly articulated structure connects earth to heaven.
Its spectacular Rocky Mountain Surroundings to its Ecclesiastical purpose.
Within the chapel, too, the eye is drawn upward, naturally, reverently.
Artistically ahead of its time, the cadet chapel continues and will continue
to inspire worship and awe."

Virtually surrounded by lights of various colors, shade and tint from its
stained glass panels, our eyes are drawn immediately to the top and
makes you feel you are in God's abode, without any doubt.

Photo by Capt. Dr. Madhu Jacob Mathew, MD, FS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

We Wish You all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

1. Christmas Greetings From The Patriarch

Each year at this blessed time, the Holy Church relives the Nativity of our Lord, the true Prince of Peace. As on that first Christmas morning, the joyous message of the heavenly hosts is again proclaimed to all mankind. ..

2. Foreword

Knowing, listening and Doing are what separates the privileged from the non-privileged.
The scribes knew all about Messiah; but they missed him completely.
The shepherds did not know anything about prophesies or scriptures; but when the angels appeared to them and announced the birth of the savior, they took action to go and visit him. ...

I. Christmas Day in Church

3. Bible Readings for Christmas (December 25)

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Library/Lectionary/Lec_Christmas.htm

4. Sermons for Christmas (December 25)

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Library/Sermons/Sermon-of-the-week_christmas.htm

5. Malankara World Journal Christmas Specials From Archives

Volume 4 No 254: December 24, 2014
Volume 3 No 184: December 23, 2013
Volume 3 No 185: December 28, 2013
Volume 2 No 115: Dec 23 2012
Volume 1 No 44: December 22 2011

6. Malankara World Advent and Christmas Supplements

To learn more about the spiritual significance of Christmas and Advent Season Malankara World has created special supplements so you can read all about them in depth. Click below to visit:
Malankara World Christmas Supplement
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Library/Seasonal/Christmas/Default.htm

Malankara World Advent Supplement
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Library/Seasonal/advent/Default.htm

II. This Week's Featured Articles - Christmas

7. Prayers From The Midnight Nativity Service of The Syriac Orthodox Church

My mouth cannot narrate Your magnificence
O, You, Living Lamb of God
Heaven and earth - are filled by You, Lord,
yet Mary's womb carried You....

8. Inspiration for Today: I am Nobody

If you sometimes feel like a nobody, rejoice! God seems to gravitate to the nobodies of this world when He wants them to meet Somebody who can save everybody. ...

9. What is Christmas About, Anyway?

The Christmas story can never be told too much. His coming was never meant to be secretive. After all, God "emptied Himself" and "became a man." He stepped out of eternity and into time, and "we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father." Now it's our turn to step into the spotlight and tell the old, old story that's ever new. ...

10. Immanuel - God Is with Us

The message of Christmas is God with us. That is important to know, especially during those times when we are going through great difficulty. The psalmist said, "If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me" (Psalm 139:9–10). It is great to know that God is with you wherever you go. ...

11. The Meaning of Christmas

When I think of Christmas I think of hope. For with God, all things are possible." (Mark 10:19).....Yet the Creator chose to enter the world in humility without a place to stay. His birth fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah (7:14) "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which is translated God is with us." ...

12. Why Christ Came

There is no more pressing question today than this: Why did Christ come to the earth? It is not enough to know who Jesus is. By and large the world knows what Christians believe about Jesus. But what the world wants to know is this: Why did he come and what difference does it make? ...

13. Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus

St. Nicholas was born during the fourth century in Patara (Asia Minor), a village in Turkey. He later moved to Myra. His wealthy parents died when he was still young, and he inherited their fortune. Nicholas was raised by his uncle, the bishop of Patara. His uncle mentored him and later ordained him a priest. Soon after, Nicholas became a bishop. ...

III. Recipes

14. Christmas Eve Salad

A traditional Mexican dish served on Christmas Eve.

15. Recipe: Hazelnut Hot Chocolate

16. Recipe: Real Ginger Ale Recipe

17. Recipe: Mixed Fruit Shake

18. About Malankara World