Continued 👆🏽
Here Lebanon signifies her hiding place her sanctity set apart from the corruption of the world, the tabernacle of God’s presence, the resting place of the true Solomon, the Prince of Peace.
St. Andrew of Crete speaks as one lifted into the heavens: “Today is the day when a great building was built, and the creation was prepared to become the dwelling place of the Creator.” Indeed, on the day of her birth, the true temple was laid the sanctuary not built by hands, but knit together by the hands of the Almighty in the womb of Anna. Here the Old Testament hands over the baton to the New; shadows are replaced by substance.
The Covenant of Hope from Adam to Mary
When Adam fell, he did not fall into despair but clung to a divine promise: “From your seed, I shall raise up a Savior.” And for 5,500 years, this hope burned among the faithful a hope fulfilled on the day Mary was born. He named his wife “Eve” in anticipation of the one to come the true Eve, the new mother of all who live in Christ.
Her birth, therefore, is the joy of all generations. The angels, beholding her purity, cry out in awe, “Our sister is here!” Luke proclaims, “Many shall rejoice at her birth.” This is not poetic flourish it is prophetic fulfillment.
Her nativity is the turning point of history, the moment when time tilted toward redemption. The Old has passed; the New has begun. What solemnity then, what reverence, what hymns of adoration should pour from our mouths on this day!
The True and False Celebration
Yet, beware, O faithful! For not all who claim to honor her do so rightly. Some, with hearts turned toward idols, take this day as an excuse for licentiousness and revelry. They spill blood, spread incense, and proclaim false feasts in her name. This is not honor it is blasphemy. These are not her children but deceivers.
The Orthodox Tewahedo Church, in its wisdom, teaches us the true manner of celebration. Remember how Joachim and Hanna, fleeing persecution, gave birth to her under the trees of Lebanon, and in their poverty ate only meat and beans. So too must we mark this day not with indulgence but with humility and thanksgiving. Let our worship be spiritual, our hearts contrite, our joy rooted in truth.
Conclusion:
Let us, then, rise and bless the day of the Birth of the Holy Virgin Mary. Let us bow before the temple not made with hands. Let us lift our voices with the angels and say:
“Rejoice, O Mary, full of grace! The Lord is with you. You are blessed among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”
May her intercession shelter us. May her example purify us. May her prayers hasten the coming of the Kingdom.
May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always.
May the blessings of God's mother, the virgin, and the cross be upon us.
Amen.
© John's Repentance
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