The nativity in the flesh of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, known as Christmas in the West, is one of the 12 major feast days of the liturgical year in the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition.

It is one of the two biggest celebrations of the year, along with Pascha, known in the West as Easter.

The celebration of the Nativity marks the end of 40 days of fasting and heralds the start of a season of worship.

For the Orthodox who follow the Gregorian, or new calendar, Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. Others, mainly in Eastern Europe, still adhere to the Julian, or old calendar, and mark the festival on Jan. 7.

In both calendars, this is the darkest time of the year. The days are short, and the nights are long. It is into this darkness, symbolic of a fallen and broken world, that the light of Jesus Christ shines forth from a cave in Bethlehem.

At Holy Nativity of the Lord in Shreveport, where I am the priest, we gather around 9 p.m. on Dec. 24 to begin the three-hour Festal Vigil and Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Nativity in the flesh or our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ.

As people enter, they cross themselves, say a prayer and light a candle, illuminating the sacred space with a flickering light. The smell of frankincense and myrrh fill the air as smoke from the censer lingers above those gathered.

The focus of our celebration is the contemplation of the wonder of the incarnation.

One of our hymns puts it like this: "I behold a strange and most glorious mystery. Heaven, a cave; the virgin, the Throne of the Cherubim; the manger a room in which Christ, the God Whom Nothing Can Contain, is laid."

The priest chants aloud, "God is with us! Understand all ye nations and submit yourselves. For God is with us!" Then the choir sings the rest of the seasonal hymn.

During the service, we will, through hymns, chants and prayers, recount the story of Christ's birth and the visit of the Magi. We will confront the impenetrable depths of the incarnation. We will lift up our hearts to worship as one with all the saints and sing "Holy, Holy, Holy."

As the faithful draw near to receive Holy Communion, the choir sings, "The Lord has sent redemption. The Lord has sent redemption. The Lord has sent redemption to His people." After receiving the One who entered into this world for their salvation, they return to their place of standing and contemplate the forgiveness and love of God.

As the service concludes, those gathered reflect on the beauty and mystical nature of Christ's birth. They hold candles and sing local hymns according to their custom. They are exhorted by the priest, "Let us go forth in peace."

Then prayer is offered encouraging us to remember that everything that is good comes from God. Facing the people, the priest gives the dismissal blessing, "May He who deigned to be born in a cave and lay in a manger for our salvation, Christ our true God."

Those gathered come forward to venerate the cross, greet the priest and each other.

The 12 days of feasting and celebrating have begun. The church members enjoy their favorite dishes together. Presents are offered to children and godchildren. The parish hall fills with excitement and laughter.

Each member lovingly greets the other with the words: "Christ is born!" And the response, "Glorify Him!"