St. John Damascene was born in Damascus, Syria, in the middle of the 7th century. Declared a doctor of the Roman Catholic Church in 1890 by Pope Leo XIII, he was brilliant teacher who explained the faith in simple understandable terms. Maybe that’s why he defended the use of icons against those who saw them as unworthy of God. John Damascene believed God can be known through images. Jesus Christ is “the image of the invisible God”.

So John Damascene not only stood up for icons, but he also stood up for the statues, stain glass windows and art of all kind. He validated the work of Michelangelo and Bach and generations of Christian artists. How could we celebrate Christmas without images?

Now, perhaps, we need to defend against their loss, as our world becomes more secularized. Our Christmas carols are drowned out by “Jingle Bell Rock” and a thousand other noisy songs. Our Christmas tree, our Christmas cribs are lost under a lot of junk; Santa Claus is turned into a salesman in Macys, the small humble light of our advent wreath is swallowed up by bigger, brighter decorations.

Anyway, listen to some words from John Damascene:

O Lord, You brought me naked into the light of day, and by the blessing of the Holy Spirit, you created me, not by human will or desire, but by your ineffable grace. 

The birth you prepared for me surpassed the laws of our nature. You sent me forth into the light as your adopted son and you enrolled me among the children of your holy and spotless Church.

You nursed me with the spiritual milk of your words. You kept me alive with the solid food of the body of Jesus Christ, your only-begotten Son and our God, and you let me drink his life-giving blood, poured out to save the whole world.

  You loved us, O Lord, and gave up your only-begotten Son for our redemption. And he came willingly, not shrinking from the task. Although he was God, he became man, and in his human will, became obedient to you, God his Father, unto death, even death on a cross.

 You humbled yourself, Christ my God, so that you might carry me, your stray sheep, on your shoulders. You let me graze in green pastures, refreshing me with the waters of orthodox teaching at the hands of your shepherds. You pastured these shepherds, and now they in turn tend your chosen and special flock. 

Now you have called me, Lord, by the hand of your bishop to minister to your people. I do not know why you have done so;  you alone know. Lord, lighten the heavy burden of my sins. Purify my mind and heart. Like a shining lamp, lead me along the straight path. When I open my mouth, tell me what I should say. By the fiery tongue of your Spirit make my own tongue ready. Stay with me always and keep me in your sight.

  Lead me to pastures, Lord, and graze there with me. Do not let my heart lean either to the right or to the left, but let your good Spirit guide me along the straight path. Whatever I do, let it be in accordance with your will, now until the end.

  And you, Church of God, most excellent assembly,  summit of perfect purity, whose assistance comes from God. You in whom God lives, receive from us a teaching of faith that is free from error, to strengthen the Church, just as our Fathers handed it down to us.