We Don't Get to Make It up as We Go, Folks (EP46)

Fr. Hans explains why the Church begins the celebration of the Nativity by reading the long genealogy of Christ. He reveals that this lineage is not just a historical list but is the essential context (the living Tradition) into which, by virtue of our baptism, we have been adopted into the commonwealth of Israel that begins with Abraham. Fr. Hans argues that without understanding this framework passed down through generations, the story of Christ's birth becomes sentimentalized and disconnected from its true meaning. He warns that when we detach the Gospel from this living Tradition, we risk losing the full import of the message, leading to a dull mind, a cold heart, and ultimately, belief in a false god.

Date: December 21, 2025

Commemorations: Forefeast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Juliana of Nicomedia & her 630 Companion Martyrs, Themistocles the Martyr of Myra, Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow

Epistle Readings: Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40

Gospels Reading: Matthew 1:1-25

This podcast episode was produced by St. Peter the Apostle Orthodox Church in Fort Myers, Florida. Visit our parish website at https://stpeterorthodoxchurch.com