Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles
  • Orthodoxy – Our Faith
      • Orthodox Faith

      • Our Faith
        • The Creed of Faith
        • The Holy Trinity
        • The Holy Scripture
        • The Holy Tradition
        • The Holy Virgin Saint Mary
        • The Heavenly Hosts
        • The Saints
      • Orthodox Life
        • New to Orthodoxy
        • The Orthodox Christian and Spiritual Reading
      • Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria

      • Coptic Orthodox Church
        • A Brief History of the Christian Church
        • Overview of the Coptic Orthodox Church
        • Introduction to the Coptic Orthodox Church
        • History of the Coptic Orthodox Church
        • Liturgies of the Coptic Orthodox Church
        • The Feasts of the Church
        • An Introduction to Coptic Music
      • Pope of Alexandria
        • His Holiness Pope Tawadros II
        • Pope Shenouda III of Blessed Memory
        • Papal Messages of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III
        • Bishop Serapion Remembers Pope Shenouda III
        • Condolences for the Departure of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III
        • Important Information Concerning the Election of the New Pope
  • Diocese – Clergy and Parishes
      • The Christ-Loving Diocese of Los Angeles

      • History of the Diocese
        • An Historical Perspective
        • A New Diocese and Bishop
        • The Enthronement Ceremony
        • Document for the Establishment of the Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California and Hawaii
      • Our Hierarchs
        • His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion – Bishop of Los Angeles and Metropolitan of Southern California and Hawaii
          • Articles by Metropolitan Serapion
          • Pastoral and Festal Messages
          • Press Releases
        • His Grace Bishop Abraham – Auxiliary Bishop for Diakonia in the Diocese of Los Angeles
        • His Grace Bishop Kyrillos – Auxiliary Bishop for Christian Education in the Diocese of Los Angeles
      • Diocese Parishes
        • Parish Locator
        • Parish Directory
        • Schedule of Divine Liturgies during the Great Holy Fast 2016
        • Naming of the Churches
        • Acquiring a Church Building
      • Diocese Clergy
        • Clergy Directory
        • Clergy Monthly Meetings
        • Clergy Theological Seminars
    • Recent News and More

      • Recent News
      • REGISTER TODAY! GYP Lenten Retreat 2019February 15, 2019
      • EARLY BIRD SPECIAL – PRESIDENT’S WEEKEND ONLYFebruary 15, 2019
      • Pastoral Message for the Glorious Feast of the Nativity 2019January 5, 2019
      • Statements on the Recent Events at Deir El-Sultan Monastery in JerusalemOctober 24, 2018
      • Statement Regarding the Attack on Al Sultan MonestaryOctober 24, 2018
      • Recent Events
      • YouTube Meeting with Bishop AngaelosJuly 29, 2016
      • UCLA Event – How is Traditional Christianity Relevant in the 21st Century?April 2, 2016
      • Southern Region Servants’ MeetingMarch 30, 2016
      • Consecration of Auxiliary BishopsMarch 30, 2016
      • Marital Enrichment Seminar: “Communication Bootcamp”March 29, 2016
      • Press Releases
      • Statements on the Recent Events at Deir El-Sultan Monastery in JerusalemOctober 24, 2018
      • Announcement Concerning Fr. Makary Younan’s VisitOctober 22, 2018
      • Declaration of the Bishops of North AmericaMay 3, 2018
      • On the Recent Attack on a Coptic Church in Atfih (South Cairo)December 23, 2017
      • Statement from Metropolitan Antonious on Recent Incidents at the Coptic Monastery of Deir el-Sultan in JerusalemOctober 25, 2017
  • Ministries – Work of the Diocese
    • Ministries: The Work of the Diocese

    • Santa Verena Charity
      • About Santa Verena Charity
      • Serve in the Santa Verena Charity
      • Sponsor a Christian Family
      • Official Website
    • Family Services
      • Ecclesiastical Council for Family Affairs
      • Saint Monica Family Education Committee (FEC)
      • Protect Your Family on the Internet
      • Get Help Now
    • Youth Ministry
      • Youth Spiritual Competition (YSC)
      • Mahragan Al Keraza Competition
      • Youth Retreats and Conventions
      • Youth Sports Ministry
      • Graduates and Young Professionals
      • Coptic Clubs
      • Arabic Youth Ministry
    • Education and Learning
      • St. Athanasius and St. Cyril Theological Library
      • Coptic Educational Foundation
      • Diocese Publications
      • Coptic Schools
      • Newcomer Ministry
      • Internet Ministry
    • Celibate Orders
      • Saint Paul Brotherhood
      • St. Paul Brotherhood Online Store
      • Santa Verena Sisterhood
      • The Life
    • LogosTV قناة لوجوس
      • Logos TV Website
  • Resources – Spiritual Growth
    • Articles
      • Feasts of the Church
      • Patristics
        • Conventions
      • Spiritual Growth
      • Social Issues
    • Resources for Deacons
      • Diocesan Rules for Deacons
      • Deacons’ Guidelines
      • How to Play the Cymbals and Triangle

The Joy and Wonder of Kiahk

Blog The Joy and Wonder of Kiahk

During this holy month of Kiahk in the Coptic Orthodox Church, we commemorate the events that led to the transformation of the world through the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to be attentive and faithful during this time as we see the Feast of the Nativity on the horizon, rapidly approaching as each day passes. It is a time for us to prepare and wait for the feast which commemorates the reality of the coming of the Son of God. St. John Chrysostom recognized the awesome significance of this feast, saying,

A feast day is about to arrive, and it is the most holy and awesome of all feasts. It would be no mistake to call it the chief and mother of all holy days. What feast is that? It is the day of Christ’s birth in the flesh.

As you know, the Church began Her preparation for this great feast two weeks ago when She took up the task of the solemn 43-day fast. It seems to many that our fasting, prayer, and ascetic life during this time is the complete opposite of the joy of the holidays we see throughout society. While others are celebrating, we are fasting with rigor and harshness while celebrating frequent Divine Liturgies. How do we explain this stark contrast between the way the Orthodox Christian prepares for the feast and the way many others prepare?

We do not see Christmas as merely a joyous event. It is true that the angels proclaimed “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14), but we cannot forget the significance of the event that caused the angels to sing in this manner. We celebrate the deep and profound mystery that He, Who by His nature has no birth, is born. The Great Architect of creation, by Whom all things were made, takes the flesh of His creation. He Who holds the entire universe is held in the arms of the Holy Theotokos Mary.

For this reason, we do not celebrate the Christmas season merely by focusing on the joy without appreciating the wonder. The month of Kiahk is a time for us to immerse our hearts in the wonder of the mystery of our Lord’s birth. At the end of this spiritual exercise, we will encounter the true joy of Christmas:

Today, the virgin bears Him Who is transcendent, and the earth presents the cave to Him Who is beyond reach. Angels, along with shepherds glorify Him. The Magi make their way to Him by a star. For a new Child has been born for us, the God before all ages. 1

To fully appreciate these beautiful words chanted on the Feast, our hearts must be ready. It is as any person who resolves to climb the highest peak to see the most beautiful sight from the pinnacle. Unless he has climbed from the valley below, what he sees is only another beautiful picture, not the transcendental vision he worked, struggled, and longed for with all his being. Even if we feel some joy on the Feast, we must ask ourselves whether it is the same exalted joy reflected in the hymn:

A star appeared in the East, and the wise men followed it, until it led them to Bethlehem, and they worshiped the King of ages. The Lord of glory was called a Son, according to the words of John before he saw Him, the Eternal Word became flesh, and dwelt in us and we saw Him.

This joy will be revealed to us only if we first experience the wonder of this deep and profound mystery.

May the Lord, Who condescended to come down and accept birth as one of His creation, bless this holy month and virginal fast for us until we see the joy of the Feast of His Nativity in peace. ☩

Related

Orthodoxy
  • Coptic Orthodox Church
  • Related

  • Our Faith
  • Related

  • Pope of Alexandria
  • Related

  • Orthodox Life
  • Related

Related

The Diocese
  • Our Metropolitan
  • Related

  • Bishop Kyrillos
  • Related

  • Bishop Abraham
  • Related

  • History of the Diocese
  • Related

  • Diocese Clergy
  • Related

  • Diocese Parishes
  • Related

  • News and Events
  • Related

  • Get Involved
  • Related

Related

Ministries
  • Santa Verena Charity
  • Related

  • Youth Ministry
  • Related

  • Celibate Orders
  • Related

  • Education and Learning
  • Related

  • Family Services
  • Related

  • LogosTV
  • Related

Related

Pomona Headquarters
3803 W. Mission Blvd.
Pomona, CA 91766
  (909) 865-8378
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 4960
Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Colophon and Acknowledgements

© 1998-2016 Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles
/* ----------------------------------------- */ /* View: Footer Pages Widget – Child - start */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ ul.footer-wdgt {list-style-type: none; padding:0; margin:0;} ul.footer-wdgt li {padding: 5px 0; margin:0;} /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* View: Footer Pages Widget – Child - end */ /* ----------------------------------------- */
/* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Loop item in Footer Pages Widget – Parent - start */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Loop item in Footer Pages Widget – Parent - end */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Loop item in Footer Pages Widget – Child - start */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Loop item in Footer Pages Widget – Child - end */ /* ----------------------------------------- */
Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles
  • Orthodoxy
    • Our Faith
      • The Creed of Faith
      • The Holy Trinity
      • The Holy Scripture
      • The Holy Tradition
      • The Holy Virgin Saint Mary
      • The Heavenly Hosts
      • The Saints
      • Back
    • Orthodox Life
      • New to Orthodoxy
      • The Orthodox Christian and Spiritual Reading
      • Back
    • Coptic Orthodox Church
      • A Brief History of the Christian Church
      • Overview of the Coptic Orthodox Church
      • Introduction to the Coptic Orthodox Church
      • History of the Coptic Orthodox Church
      • Liturgies of the Coptic Orthodox Church
      • The Feasts of the Church
      • An Introduction to Coptic Music
      • Back
    • Pope of Alexandria
      • His Holiness Pope Tawadros II
      • Pope Shenouda III of Blessed Memory
      • Papal Messages of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III
      • Bishop Serapion Remembers Pope Shenouda III
      • Condolences for the Departure of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III
      • Important Information Concerning the Election of the New Pope
      • Back
    • Back
  • Diocese
    • History of the Diocese
      • An Historical Perspective
      • A New Diocese and Bishop
      • The Enthronement Ceremony
      • Document for the Establishment of the Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California and Hawaii
      • Back
    • Our Hierarchs
      • His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion
        • Articles by Metropolitan Serapion
        • Pastoral and Festal Messages
        • Press Releases
        • Back
      • His Grace Bishop Abraham
      • His Grace Bishop Kyrillos
      • Back
    • Diocese Parishes
      • Parish Locator
      • Parish Directory
      • Schedule of Divine Liturgies during the Great Holy Fast 2016
      • Naming of the Churches
      • Acquiring a Church Building
      • Back
    • Diocese Clergy
      • Clergy Directory
      • Clergy Monthly Meetings
      • Clergy Theological Seminars
      • Back
    • Recent News
    • Recent Events
    • Press Releases
    • Back
  • Ministries
    • Santa Verena Charity
      • About Santa Verena Charity
      • Serve in the Santa Verena Charity
      • Sponsor a Christian Family
      • Official Website
      • Back
    • Family Services
      • Ecclesiastical Council for Family Affairs
      • Saint Monica Family Education Committee (FEC)
      • Protect Your Family on the Internet
      • Get Help Now
      • Back
    • Youth Ministry
      • Youth Spiritual Competition (YSC)
      • Mahragan Al Keraza Competition
      • Youth Retreats and Conventions
      • Youth Sports Ministry
      • Graduates and Young Professionals
      • Coptic Clubs
      • Arabic Youth Ministry
      • Back
    • Education and Learning
      • St. Athanasius and St. Cyril Theological Library
      • Coptic Educational Foundation
      • Diocese Publications
      • Coptic Schools
      • Newcomer Ministry
      • Internet Ministry
      • Back
    • Celibate Orders
      • Saint Paul Brotherhood
      • St. Paul Brotherhood Online Store
      • Santa Verena Sisterhood
      • The Life
      • Back
    • LogosTV قناة لوجوس
      • Logos TV Website
      • Back
    • Back
  • Resources
    • Articles
      • Feasts of the Church
      • Patristics
        • Conventions
        • Back
      • Spiritual Growth
      • Social Issues
      • Back
    • Resources for Deacons
      • Diocesan Rules for Deacons
      • Deacons’ Guidelines
      • How to Play the Cymbals and Triangle
      • Back
    • Back