My Favorite Christmas Story

So at last night's WriteOn Christmas party, Tom Hernandez asked us to bring (and read) a favorite Christmas piece, not our own work.

Now it was too noisy for reading, but here is what I brought. In the Eastern Orthodox church, we chant everything, so I was actually prepared to chant.

The people walking in darkness

 have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

    a light has dawned.

  You have enlarged the nation

    and increased their joy;

they rejoice before you

    as people rejoice at the harvest,

as warriors rejoice

    when dividing the plunder.

  For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,

    you have shattered

the yoke that burdens them,

    the bar across their shoulders,

    the rod of their oppressor.

  Every warrior’s boot used in battle

    and every garment rolled in blood

will be destined for burning,

    will be fuel for the fire.

  For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given,

    and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

  Of the greatness of his government and peace

    there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

    and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

    with justice and righteousness

    from that time on and forever.

Isaiah 9:2-7