We pray thee, O Lord, to purify our hearts that they may be worthy to become thy dwelling place. Let us never fail to find room for thee, but come and abide in us that we also may abide in thee, who…[in this season] wast born into the world for us, and dost live and reign, King of kings and Lord of lords, now and for evermore.
–William Temple
Happy Christmas to all from Durham Cathedral 🎄 pic.twitter.com/g1axt9Sq2G
— Durham Cathedral (@durhamcathedral) December 25, 2024
The crucial significance of the cradle at Bethlehem lies in its place in the sequence of steps down that led the Son of God to the cross of Calvary, and we do not understand it till we see it in this context…the taking of manhood by the Son is set before us in a way which shows us how we should ever view it–not simply as a marvel of nature, but rather as a wonder of grace.
–J. I. Packer, Knowing God, (Downer’s Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press; 20th Anniversary ed.), p.42
Adoration of the Magi (1629), by Peter Paul Rubens pic.twitter.com/dOwUJY0jVe
— Classical Art (@SeekAfterBeauty) December 25, 2024
Grant, O Lord, that in all our sufferings here upon earth, for the testimony of thy truth, we may steadfastly look up to heaven, and by faith behold the glory that shall be revealed; and, being filled with the Holy Ghost, may learn to love and bless our persecutors by the example of thy first martyr, Saint Stephen, who prayed for his murderers to thee, O blessed Jesus, who standest at the right hand of God to succour all those that suffer for thee, our only mediator and advocate. Amen.
St. Stephen, Proto-Martyr (36)
— Memento Mori (@TempusFugit4016) December 26, 2024
He was one of the seven deacons chosen by the Apostles to execute works of charity. He upbraided the chief priests and accused them of putting Christ to death just as their fathers had killed the prophets. They stoned him without further delay. pic.twitter.com/vP4yIVFC9W
Grant us, O God, such love and wonder that, with humble shepherds, wise men and pilgrims unknown, we may come and adore the holy Babe, the heavenly King, and with our gifts worship and serve him, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Einen schönen und entspannten zweiten Weihnachtsfeiertag wünsche ich euch allen!
— Brigitta Neurauter (@BrigittaNeurau2) December 26, 2024
❄☀️🌲❄☀️🌲❄☀️🌲❄☀️🌲☀️❄ pic.twitter.com/1OfjCNZqQl
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Proch′orus, and Nica′nor, and Timon, and Par′menas, and Nicola′us, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them.
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
–Acts 6:1-7
Merry Christmas to all friends and followers with an image of the Nativity from a 13th century Psalter!
— Vir Desideriorum (@VirDesideriorum) December 25, 2024
As in the Hodegetria icon, Mary looks directly at the viewer. She points with one hand to Christ, the Savior of the world, who turns to his Mother. Only Mary and the Child… pic.twitter.com/gLQqXH0MCP