Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos helps us to discover the true meaning of Christmas through the life of the Orthodox Church.

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos addresses two differences within celebration of an Orthodox Christmas (ancient vs. modern) in regards to the Nativity Fast and the celebration of St. Nicholas and St. Basil.

Kevin Allen talks with Fr. Tom Hopko about the significance of the incarnation.

Bobby Maddex interviews Dr. Paul Meyendorff, the Alexander Schmemann Professor of Liturgical Theology and the editor of the St. Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly journal, about a 2012 conference on Orthodox ecclesiology and nationalism that took place at the Volos Academy for Theological Studies, the papers from which have just been published in St. Vladimir's Theological Quarterly.

Carta: Ef 4: 1-7, Evangelio Lc 12: 16-21 El Padre Nicholas predicó sobre escuchar la llamada de Dios. Letter: Ef 4: 1-7, Gospel: Lk 12: 16-21 Father Nicholas preached about listening to God’s call.

On an ordinary night, like ten thousand other nights the shepherds experience the extraordinary: The transcendent God is revealed in our ordinary flesh.

In this episode, we hear a Christmas letter from Fr. Nicolaie about two things, no three things, St. John the Compassionate Mission can count on.

Listen to reflections of Christmas morning at the mission, from volunteer Mary.

Join St. John the Compassionate Mission as they celebrate the feast of the Nativity of Christ our Saviour, as written by Brother Luke.

Puzzled about what to give the foodies on your list? Join Martha for some gift ideas that can meet every skill level and interest and possibly keep you out of the mall!

Fr. Lawrence Farley is convinced that his culture knows absolutely nothing about the true meaning of Christmas.

Fr. Apostolos reminds us that unless we see our salvation in the face of Christ, there is no particular reason for joy at Christmas.

Fr. Apostolos talks about the theme of light as it relates to the Feast of the Nativity.

In view of the national media's drumbeat of fear-mongering, Fr. Apostolos reminds us of angelic salutation "Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy!"

Fr. Apostolos shares the story of the Nativity of Christ, interspersed with Christmas carols.

Fr. Apostolos talks about the key of humility that unlocks God's grace.

Fr. Apostolos addresses the inner meaning of the Feast of the Incarnation, through the perspective of the latest Star Wars film.

Fr. Apostolos Hill dives into what we mean when we say, "Christ is born, Glorify Him" as well as other Orthodox Christmas meanings.

Fr. Apostolos Hill gives a sermon on the Gospel reading from the Sermon on the Mount.

Membership in the Body of Christ is not like being a member of any human organization. Fr Tom teaches us the words of our Lord which clearly state that begin a joined to Him requires total commitment. (Sunday after the Elevation of the Cross)

In a special Christmas edition of Sermons at St Nicholas, Fr Thomas reminds us of the cosmic significance of the birth of Christ. Because God the Father sends His Son to us, the world will never be the same!

Christmas is indeed a time to enjoy the delight of children during the feast. Fr Thomas teaches us to also remember yet another great gift of Christmas: we become children of God.

In the incarnation, God demonstrates His love for man, not only by sending His Son, but by uniting His Divinity to humanity.

Listen as Fr. Tom discusses what it means to invest in the Kingdom of God

Fr. Christopher sets the record straight on the celebration of Christmas.

Dn. Emmanuel tells us whether you are at school or at home, working or unemployed, whether you have responsibilities at home or outside home, whatever your age, there is a special Christmas present waiting for each of us, wrapped up, ready to open, but each present can only be opened by the person to whom that present has been addressed.

Fr. Gregory asks St. John Chrysostom to help with the Christmas Day sermon.

Bobby interviews AmandaEve Wigglesworth, the author of a new Conciliar Press book titled Celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas: A Family Devotional in the Eastern Orthodox Tradition.

In this prophetic Psalm, we have a song filled with love and a Psalm which gave theme to Hebrews 10. See the incarnation of Christ in this beautiful hymn of the Church.

Psalm 73 (74) asks the great "Why" question of humanity. That question is answered in a cave in Bethlehem as the God of the universe takes on flesh for our salvation.

Dr. Albert Rossi shares his reflections on the meaning of Christmas.

Christmas in Newtown, Connecticut, will not be the same this year. Fr. Lawrence Farley comments on the tragic events of December 14 and reminds us of the senseless nature of sin.

Fr. Philip LeMasters: "One would hope that nations influenced by even mildly historic forms of Christianity would see the folly of secular salvation by warfare, but the crusading spirit apparently does not die easily."

An interview with Dr. Nancy Barrow, an MD with a specialty in psychiatry, and a talented vocalist. Nancy has produced her own Christmas CD and does all of the vocals herself! You can purchase the CD here.

Fr. Patrick Cardine joins us to talk about the beautiful new CD produced by his parish choir. St. Patrick Antiochian Orthodox Church is a parish in the Western Rite tradition and the recording is available as a CD or as downloads. Go the the parish website to learn more.

Bobby Maddex interviews Dr. Nicholas Reeves about the upcoming AFR event, Christmas Across the Continent: Lessons and Carols featuring Six Choirs. Make sure to tune in this Saturday, December 19th at 7 pm (Central) on our streaming music & talk stations or simultaneously catch the podcast version with video under the "specials" tab to join us for this spectacular musical celebration of our Lord's Nativity!

Fr. Pat examines three saints of the old covenant as three dimensions of the mystery of Christmas.

Fr. Pat shares his homily from the Sunday of the Genealogy.

Why is gift-giving such an important part of Christmas? What does it have to do with our lives as Christians?

The universe is full of wonderful things. But perhaps nothing is more wonderful that Christmas, when God became man!

Vestments are more than decorations: they reveal something important about our relationship with God and the role of our clergy.

“What shall I say! And how shall I describe this Birth to you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment. The Ancient of Days has become an infant. He Who sits upon the sublime and heavenly Throne, now lies in a manger. And He Who cannot be touched, Who is simple, without complexity, and incorporeal, now lies subject to the hands of men....” (St John Chrysostom) In the Church, we call Christmas "the Nativity According to the Flesh of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ." Because it's the day we celebrate the very Son of God taking on flesh and becoming human for our sake: the Lord's Incarnation. This is when we celebrate the coming of the Philanthropos, the "Lover of Mankind." A season when we are called to be philanthropists ourselves and be a loving, healing presence in a troubled and mixed-up world. Christmas spirit is more than a theme we see in movies like "The Christmas Chronicles." It's something we can share in our everyday lives: in concrete ways for the life of the world. Christ is Born! Glorify Him! As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee161

For most people in our society the Christmas season is a time of celebration, with holiday parties, and unleashed consumerism. For Orthodox Christians however the Advent Season is a time of fasting, prayer and ascetic struggle. Why? In this edition of Ancient Faith Today, host Kevin Allen discusses with Father Gregory Jensen, author of the book The Cure for Consumerism, the reason for the ascetic struggle for Orthodox Christians.

In a world full of sin - what are we to celebrate?

Is it possible to give our children presents AND keep Christmas centered on Christ?