Nativity in Glass from Romania
from Rebecca and Mark.
Small cloth under made by my Oma.
Mirror and kleenex holder were my Oma's.
I was given the Pascha egg
this past Pascha
by one of my favourite older women parishioner's sister...
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Christmas and Pascha are deeply linked.
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The small icon in the background is
which is there for Noah,
who is quite ill.
Many are holding their own small
vigils in prayer
for Noah
as they go about the days before Christmas...
It is hard for us all to focus
on the coming of Christ.
So many things are thrown at us during fasts;
Christmas lent/Nativity Fast means
distractions on the party & presents level
and often more painful things,
illness, loss, grief.
But Christ came and was born on this earth
so that He could defeat death.
Christ is with us in the
times of joy and the times of great grief.
My Christmas Icons.
Nativity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
Christ our Saviour with Angels,
St. Nicholas to provide and protect
St. Spyridon to help us
the Mother of God to console us.
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May God give us strength for this day
and hearts that are open to thanksgiving
and worship of God
amidst all things.
Amen!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy seeing the changing seasons - of nature and of the Church - reflected in your pictures of home. So many special reminders of friends and family :)
ReplyDeleteI've never seen that icon of Christ and the angels. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI think that I find Advent such a difficult fast for two reasons. One is the disconnect between the world and the church, which is much more striking more than during Lent - and the other is the dark days with such sad things happening all the time, it's so heart wearying.
However, I know where the joy will come from, and that keeps me going!
Love to you!
Your icons are so lovely !
ReplyDeleteI too am keeping vigil for dear Noah each day.....