“The Savior's most pure and immaculate temple, the very precious bridal chamber and Virgin, who is the sacred treasure of the glory of God, on this day is introduced into the House of the Lord, and with herself she brings the grace in the Divine Spirit. She is extolled by the Angels of God. A heavenly tabernacle is she.”(1)

- Kondakion of the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple(2)

Reflection:

The Theotokos enters the temple to prepare herself to bear Christ our God within her. To become a living temple, the “heavenly tabernacle”. 

Saint Paul writes, “For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them.’”(3) Worship is offered not only from within a temple, but also from within each person. 

During this Nativity season, we are preparing ourselves to become more fitting temples of God. In addition to the Church, our body is a temple. Our heart is the altar from which we offer praise, prayer, and worship to God. 

Let us be diligent during this season of the Nativity Fast, and work on our inner self to clean up our hearts through prayer, reading of Scripture, Holy Confession, and strengthened dedication to Christ. 

Let us prepare our heart as a manger for Christ to reside on Christmas day - and every day thereafter. 

Resources:  1) The Liturgy Text for the Feast-Day Page 8.

2) The Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

3) 2 Cor 6:16