Our Savior, God and Man

I have much to blog about but no time. Leaving very shortly to spend a few days at Ellwood City Monastery. Here is a beautiful Nativity meditation from St. Ephraim the Syrian's Spiritual Psalter. Long but very beautiful. I urge you to read the whole thing...

We confess one and the same individual as perfect God and perfect Man. He is God the Word Which was flesh.

For if He was not flesh, why was Mary chosen? And if He is not God, whom does Gabriel call Lord?

If He was not flesh, who was laid in a manger? And if He is not God, whom did the angels who came down from heaven glorify? If He was not flesh, who was wrapped in swaddling clothes? And if He is not God, in whose honor did the star appear?

If He was not flesh, whom did Simeon hold in his arms? And if He is not God, to whom did Simeon say: Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace?

If He was not flesh, whom did Joseph take when he fled into Egypt? And if He is not God, who fulfilled the prophesy: Out of Egypt have I called my Son?

If He was not flesh, whom did John baptize? And if He is not God, to whom did the Father say: This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased?

If He was not flesh, who hungered in the desert? And if He is not God, unto whom did the angels come and minister?

If He was not flesh, who was invited to the marriage in Cana of Galilee? And if He is not God, who turned the water into wine?

If He was not flesh, who took the loaves in the desert? And if He is not God, who fed the five thousand men and their women and children with five loaves and two fish?

If He was not flesh, who slept in the ship? And if He is not God, who rebuked the waves and the sea?

If He was not flesh, with whom did Simon the Pharisee sit at meat? And if He is not God, who forgave the sins of the harlot?

If He was not flesh, who wore a man’s garment? And if He is not God, who healed the woman with an issue of blood when she touched His garment?

If He was not flesh, who spat on the ground and made clay? And if He is not God, who gave sight to the eyes of the blind man with that clay?

If He was not flesh, who wept at Lazarus’ grave? And if He is not God, who commanded him to come forth out of the grave four days after his death?

If He was not flesh, whom did the Jews arrest in the garden? And if He is not God, who cast them to the ground with the words: I am He?

If He was not flesh, who was judged before Pilate? And if He is not God, who frightened Pilate’s wife in a dream?

If He was not flesh, whose garments were stripped from Him and parted by the soldiers? And if He is not God, why was the sun darkened upon His crucifixion?

If He was not flesh, who was crucified on the cross? And if He is not God, who shook the foundations of the earth?

If He was not flesh, whose hands and feet were nailed to the cross? And if He is not God, how did it happen that the veil of the temple was rent in twain, the rocks were rent, and the graves were opened?

If He was not flesh, who hung on the cross between two thieves? And if He is not God, how could He say to the thief: Today thou shalt be with me in paradise?

If He was not flesh, who cried out and gave up the ghost? And if He is not God, whose cry caused the many bodies of the saints which slept to arise?

If He was not flesh, whom did the women see laid in a grave? And if He is not God, about whom did the angels say to them: He has arisen, He is not here?

If He was not flesh, whom did Thomas touch when he put his hands into the prints of the nails? And if He is not God, who entered through the doors that were shut?

If He was not flesh, who ate at the sea of Tiberias? And if He is not God, on whose orders were the nets filled with fishes?

If He was not flesh, whom did the apostles see carried up into heaven? And if He is not God, who ascended to the joyful cries of the angels, and to whom did the Father proclaim: sit at My right hand?

If He is not God and man then, indeed, our salvation is false, and false are the pronouncements of the prophets.

Home for Christmas; Snoopy's middle name

I'm home for Christmas, flew in yesterday. Short flight connection in Baltimore but there were enough people like me that they held the plane :)

Today I went with my mom to a Christmas party at her work. Chloe, a five year old who was visiting with her family, saw the snow-globe with Snoopy and Woodstock. She asked me if I knew the bird's name and I said I did but couldn't remember. She then asked what Snoopy's middle name was. Her mom, who was standing right there, said "I don't think Snoopy has a middle name, Chloe." I told Chloe she should make up a middle name for Snoopy. She said it was "Penna." When I finally remembered Woodstock's name, I told her and asked her if he had a middle name. She said it was "Bamanapants." She was so cute!!!

study sessions

I've decided that group study sessions are not very helpful for me. My best study tactics are alone with my computer or in a small group of 2 or 3.

Hawk

This morning, one of the campus hawks was perched on top of the cross on the dome of the chapel. It is a pretty common sight, but I hadn't seen it in awhile. They like that spot because it is the highest point on campus (not to mention the (second?) highest point in Boston.

It's also very nice weather...probably 60s (I'm not good at gauging (sp?) temperatures, but it's much warmer than it's been). It rained a lot last night; now the sun is poking through...

Concert and hiccups

We had a concert today...the new students have been practicing all semester and today was our debut. We were so horrible that we had to get professionals to come sing with us. Overall, we were good, but the HCHC people were bad, but the professionals made up for it :) People said we were good  but that's because we had a ton of professionals singing with us...

Right before the concert, I got the hiccups. I wasn't able to go offstage to get water. I had the hiccups for almost 3/4 of the concert and tried to close my mouth when I felt one coming or do it during a loud piece of music. Once, though, I let out a hiccup at a rest (by accident), so it went something like this:

He rules the world with truth and grace! *loud hiccup* And makes the nations prove...

People around me started laughing, I was really embarrassed. Some of the audience heard it and some didn't. It was annoying...but hey, it's over now...

Now it's to bed and to use tomorrow and Tuesday to study for finals, the first of which is Wednesday!

Dinner

After Vespers I started a conversation with Leftheri in the chapel courtyard. Everyone else left while we were talking and Ellie was having a conversation with Stella and her friend who I don't know. When Stella and her friend left, Ellie joined our conversation. After a minute or two, crossing her arms and shivering, she asked if we could continue this conversation at dinner. Leftheri said, "Do you wanna come over for dinner?" I was like, "SURE!" So I ran down to give Deacon Gabriel the key for the computer lab, as I had worked until 5:00, and he worked at 6:00. I gave him the key and ran up to their apartment. We had left-overs from Leftheri's catering job - salmon, salad, papaya, honeydue. We also had bread and Ellie's mashed potatoes. It was a nice evening, we talked about many things, both theological, musical, and personal. I headed back to the dorm around 8:00.

Now to bed. Early morning (7:15 wake up), going to St. John the Baptist Church, where they do a full Orthros before Divine Liturgy. I'm excited.

Happy Sunday of the Forefathers and Feast of St. Spyridon!!! :)

OCF Coffeehouse

Last night, from 9-12 was a "Coffeehouse" at Holy Resurrection Church in Allston. It was the second one this year, but the first one I've gone to. They usually do them twice a semester. They do it in their hall. They have a mic and chair for people who play guitar, or sing, or whatever, to perform, and after all the performanced were done, they pulled up some YouTube clips and showed sing-along Christmas songs with open mic. We all went up and had a good time singing. I met some people from other schools. It was fun.

(There was, of course, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cookies, chips, etc.)

It was a good time and I'm looking forward to the next one :)