Defined in Kings James version dictionary, “Righteousness denotes one who is holy in heart and observant of the divine commands in practice; as a righteous man. Applied to things, it denotes consonant to the divine will or to justice; as a righteous act. It is used chiefly in theology, and applied to God, to his testimonies and to his Saints.”
LORD Jesus came from Galilee to Nazareth to where Saint John was baptizing at Jordan River on Epiphany day. As Saint John saw LORD Jesus coming towards him, he knew the prophecy was yet to arise. Witnessing his presence, he affirmed with this words; “Behold the lamb of GOD to raze our sin. One man is coming before me. Akin to whom I have conversed about, he was before me and more glorious. I haven’t also known. But, for him to be revealed to Israel, I came to baptize with water.” (John. 1:29-31)
“Fear not for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior;…”
The righteous father Abune Tekle Haymanot was born in Zorare, a district in Selale which lies on the eastern edge of Shewa and place called Itisa, from a Priest Tsega Zeab or “Gift of Faith” and his wife Egzi’e Haraya to mean “Choice of God” on January 2, 1220. Tekle Haimanot was born after his parents, who had failed to have children and pledged their firstborn to God.
False prophets strive to weaken Holy Church deceiving laities with lack of faith; some might fail while others do not. Lord Jesus gives preference to the some as Prophets, preserving the truth and to the many lost: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom!” and He promises His faithful His Godly protection from spiritual wolves, saying: “And I will give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (Luke 12:32, John 10:28)
The day of which Saint Gabriel saved the three children from burning fire, will be celebrated on December 28 in all Orthodox Incarnation Church.
Father Abraham rejoicing was witnessed during the apostasy era after his desire to see the day of the revelation of LORD Jesus Christ. His spiritual diligence in addition to his grace was immense. He welcomed people as his guests and nurtures them in his tent. Discerning this, Enemy Satan distorted the truth so that guests would not go to Abraham’s house, pretending to be stoned saying, “Do not go to Abraham’s house. He is not the Abraham you knew; I went to his house thinking that He would nurture me, but, look at the blood that comes down from my head after he stoned me. Don’t go to his house.”
Chastening is to correct by punishment as it is written in the bible, “I will chasten him with the rod of men.” It is also to inflict pain for the purpose of reclaiming an offender; as, to chasten a son with a rod; and it is stated, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.” (2 Samuel 7:14, Revelation 3:19)
The three weeks before the birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the prophets fast are called are called Sermon, Light, and Nolawi. These weeks reflect on three different ways in which the prophets expressed their longing for God’s salvation in this world and how our Lord responded to them.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Incarnation Church celebrates the Entrance of Saint Mary into the Temple at Jerusalem on December 12, as one of Her thirty three feasts.