As we prepare for the Holy Nativity, I was meditating on different aspects of the incarnation we celebrate. The phrase from St. Paul's epistles seemed to ring in my mind: "Redeem the time." There are two verses with this phrase:

Walk in wisdom toward them that are outside, redeeming the time. [Colossians 4:5]
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. [Ephesians 5:16]

This idea of "redemption" seems to be easily overlooked or maybe it is overused like "salvation," or the idea that "Jesus saves." Words are funny things because if two people agree on a definition of any word they will be able to communicate the idea intended, but if they cannot agree on definitions of the words they use, how can two people understand each other?

There are many many words that are used with general notions, but without full understanding or agreement. This is where dictionaries help by providing multiple acceptable definitions (and sometimes origins of the words as well). Webster's Dictionary of American English Usage is considered a standard even though it is less than 200 years old. So, when I encounter certain words I look them up. With scripture, I also look at the Hebrew, Greek and/or Aramaic. I am not a language scholar, so I rely on the work of others with interlinear editions and concordances to assist.

This word "redeem" has multiple meanings, according to Webster's: to buy back; to win back; to free from what distresses or harms, like payment of ransom; to extricate from something detrimental; to release from blame or debt; to free from the consequences; repair; restore; fulfill; to atone; to offset the bad effect; to make worthwhile. The insight that I gain from replacing any of these phrases with "redeeming" in the verses above is great. The Greek word in both of these verses is "exagorazo" which is accurately translated to redeem, but can also be more literally translated as "to snatch or free from the forum" which is like singling out a moment as an opportunity, to free it from its bondage.

This idea of the redemption of time is so integrated into Holy Orthodoxy that we can easily forget how our Fathers have preserved a cycle of festal occasions to "redeem the time." As time seems to have a linear reality, our Holy Fathers teach us how it is redeemed in cycles. By returning to the same incident, it is redeemed - deepening our understanding, expanding our practice and enlarging our hearts, to be enlightened through the course of the year. Certain moments have become moments to stop and truly reflect on the power and depth of our Christian heritage: the spiritual plumb in the everlasting life in the realization and living out of the promise of Holy Baptism. We redeem the time in the continuation of Christ's mission and ministry in this world. During this time of year, it is obvious that we still need the birth of light, the appearance of the prince of peace. We need to reflect on the story of humility that brings salvation to us in this present time nearly 2,000 years after the birth in the manger, how the unlimited one took the limitations of flesh to free us (redeem us) from those very limitations!

"Salvation" has several meanings as well: deliverance from danger or difficulty; liberation from ignorance or illusion; preservation from destruction or failure. When we acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world, that is the one who brings salvation, we are saying that He delivers us from danger and difficulties, that He liberates us from ignorance and illusion, that He preserves us from destruction and failure.

Yes, Jesus Saves!

St Paul wrote to the Romans, but the wisdom of Holy Orthodoxy has brought his timeless words for the Church and each of us in this present age:

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (8:18). And later he wrote, "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed (13:11)."

So even though the all-powerful and all-knowing God has taken human flesh so completely as to be born of a mother and to be as vulnerable and frail as any newborn child, indeed, now in this present moment, " our salvation is nearer than we believed" as we "redeem the time" we are given. Let us embrace the fullness of the mystery of the incarnation, the glory of heaven and earth.

St. Athanasius (in Contra Arianos) wrote:

"For the Word (Logos: Christ) was not degraded by receiving a body, so that He should seek to 'receive' God's gift. Rather He deified what He put on; and more than that, He bestowed this gift upon the race of men." (I.42)

"If the works of the godhead had not taken place by means of the body, man would not have been made divine. If the properties of the flesh had not been ascribed to the Word, man would not have been thoroughly freed from them ... As the flesh is said to have been begotten from Mary, the mother of God (Theotokos), He himself is said to have been begotten, He who bestows birth on all others so that they come into being. This is in order that He may transfer our birth to himself, that we may no longer return as earth to earth, but, as being joined with the Word from heaven, may be carried up with Him into heaven." (III.33)

During this festival time of Christ's incarnation and manifestation, the Holy Nativity and Holy Epiphany, let us raise our consciousness to the highest glory of heaven and find places around us in this world to do deeds of love and service; mercy and peace; reconciliation and healing. Let us be proved to be true Christians, and not by our words alone.

My dear ones, let us pray for peace in ourselves, our homes and families, in our cities and villages, among our neighbors, inside our churches and among those of faith; between those that believe differently, and among all the nations of the world. Let us welcome Christ at His Nativity, even if this birth of light is frail and vulnerable and placed in the feeding trough of our animal nature. Let us nurture this babe wrapped is rags. Let us accept the gifts of the wise, meditating upon their meaning throughout the year.