This is the crib. The figures are all wood bar the Christ child which is from another set as the original got 'pinched' or 'did a runner' or 'a bunk' depending on how you wish to interpret it. It's rather big but it's very popular.

This is the inside of our little friary church in Raheny with the crib before the altar.

POPE ST. SYLVESTER

The Holy Pope of Rome Sylvester (314-335) was born at Rome of Christian parents named Rufinus and Justa. His father soon died, and the saint remained in the care of his mother. Sylvester's teacher, the presbyter Quirinus, gave him a fine education and raised him as a true Christian. Having reached the age of maturity, Sylvester set about fulfilling the command of the Lord about service to neighbour, and particularly concerned himself with the taking in of vagrants, offering them in his own house shelter and respite. During a time of persecution against Christians, Sylvester did not hesitate to take in the holy confessor Bishop Timothy, who dwelt with him for more than a year and who by his preaching converted many to Christ. After the Martyr's death of Timothy, Sylvester secretly took up the body of the saint and reverently gave it burial. This however came to the attention of the city-head Tarquinius, and the saint was arrested and brought to trial. Tarquinius demanded him to renounce Christ, threatening him with torture and death. Saint Sylvester was however not intimidated, and he remained steadfast in his confession of faith, and was then thrown into prison. When Tarquinius suddenly died after the trial, the saint was set free and fearlessly he evangelised amongst the pagans, converting many to Christianity. At thirty years of age Saint Sylvester was accepted into the clergy of the Roman Church and was ordained to the dignity of deacon, and then also presbyter, by Pope Marcellinus (296-304). After the death of Pope Militiades (or Melchiades, 311-314), Saint Sylvester was chosen bishop of Rome. He zealously concerned himself about the purity of life in his flock, and he insisted that presbyters strictly fulfill their duty, and not be overwhelmed with worldly matters.
Saint Sylvester became reknown as a profound expert on Holy Scripture and as a staunch defender of the Christian faith. During the reign of the emperor Saint Constantine the Great, when the periods of persecution had ended for the Church, the Jews arranged a debate about the true faith, at which were present the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine and his mother -- the holy Empress Helen, together with a numerous retinue. On the side of the Christians Pope Sylvester stood forth, and on the side of the Jews -- a number of learned rabbis, headed by Zambrius, a magician and sorcerer. On the basis of the Sacred books of the Old Testament, Saint Sylvester convincingly demonstrated, that all the prophets foretold the Birth of Jesus Christ from the Immaculate Virgin, and also His voluntary Suffering and Death for the Redemption of the fallen race of mankind, and His glorious Resurrection. In this verbal confrontation the saint was declared the victor. Then Zambrius tried to resort to sorcery, but the saint obstructed the evil by calling on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Zambrius and the other Jews came to believe in Jesus Christ, and they besought that there be made over them the holy Baptism. Pope Saint Sylvester directed the Roman Church for more than twenty years, and earning deep esteem as a Christian. He died peacefully in old age in the year 335.

from the Menologion for January 2nd. I guess Pope St. Sylvester's life is an invitation and reminder to use our gifts in the era we inhabit, amongst the people around us to give glory to God and defend the faith. Reading around the net and watching various vids I've come across people who are so viciously intolerant and they're not all atheists! Far from it. As Vatican II rightly pointed our a major reason for atheism is the behaviour of believers. Sylvester invites us to love those who oppose us to the point that it is not our arguments that win them over but love.
Byzantine Ramblings has a nice thought provoking meditation from a Ukrainian Metropolitan here.
May the New Year bring peace, joy and greater closeness to the Lord to all!

A BRIDGE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST

This is Leo Allatius (1586-1669) Greek theologian and defender both of Papal jurisdiction and Eastern Rite tradition, a bridge-builder between East and West. I just read about him at Canterbury Tales.

Feast of Anysia of Thessalonika and Melania of Rome Martyrs

Feast of Anysia of Thessalonika martyr and Melania of Rome wife, mother, nun and philanthropist. I suppose its easy to forget in the midst of our Christmas feast the sufferings of others. Remembering the martyrs reminds us of the price we may be called to pray for faith in Christ. Anysia (c.285-305) was caught trying to get to get to Mass and was martyred for her commitment. Melania (388-434?) was born to high privilege and wealth (her income at one time was equivalent to $20 million a year) but she chose an austere life and focused her energies on caring for others, especially the poor and in fostering the Church. Anysia showed her faith in laying down her life for Christ especially in his Eucharistic Presence. Melania did likewise but over a longer period and in a more gradual way. Both gave witness to Christ. Both invite us to consider how much we appreciate our Lord and our neighbour, how much do we love?

HOLY MARTYRS ANYSIA AND MELANIA

Troparion of the Feast Tone 4
Thy Nativity, O Christ our God,/ has shone to the world as the light of wisdom./ For by it those who worshipped the stars/ were taught by a star to adore Thee,/ the Sun of Righteousness,/ and to know Thee, the Orient from on high./ O Lord, glory to Thee.

Troparion of Ss Anysia and Melania Tone 4
Thou didst tread to the end the path of virtue and wast betrothed to God the Word,/ and didst rejoice in the contest, O Anysia./ Thou didst shine with the light of dispassion, Melania,/ and shed rays of virtue on the world./ And now we ask you both to beseech Christ the Lord that He will be gracious to us.

Kontakion of the Feast Tone 3
Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One,/ and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One./ Angels with Shepherds glorify Him,/ the wise men journey with the star;/ since for our sake the eternal God was born as a little child.

Kontakion of Ss Anysia and Melania Tone 3
Like a lamp of two lights you illumine Christ's Church/ with a mystical radiance./ Thou didst bring forth fruit an hundredfold/ in thy martyr's contest, O Anysia;/ and thou didst shine in asceticism, O Melania./ You were found worthy of the incorruptible life of the Blessed. From menologion

The Darkest Midnight

Traditional Irish Carol (air: the Little Brown Mallet)
The darkest midnight in December, no snow nor hail nor winter storm
Shall hinder us for to remember, the babe that on this night was born
With shepherds we are come to see this lovely infant's glorious charms
Born of a maid as the prophets said the God of love in Mary's arms.

Have you not heard the sacred story, how man was made those seats to fill
Which the fallen angels lost in glory, through their presumption, pride, and will
They thought us mean for to obtain such glorious seats and crowns in heaven
So through a cheat they go Eve to eat the fruit to be avenged on man.

Ye blessed angels join our voices, let your gilded wings beat fluttering o'er
While every soul set free rejoices and every devil must adore
We'll sing and pray that God always may our friends and family defend
God grant us grace in all our days, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Fr William Devereux (1669-1771) (published 1728) Co. Wexford, Ireland

Christmas Day has come; (the Wexford Carol)

Christmas Day has come; let’s prepare for mirth,
Which fills the heavens and earth at the amazing birth.
Through both the joyous angels in strife and hurry fly,
With glory and hosannas ‘All Holy’ do they cry,
In heaven the Church triumphant adores with all her choirs,
The militant on earth with humble faith admires.

But why should we rejoice? Should we not rather morn
To see the Hope of Nations thus in a stable born?
Where are His crown and scepter, where is His throne sublime,
Where is his train majestic that should the stars outshine?
Is there no sumptuous palace, nor any inn at all
To lodge his heavenly mother but in a filthy stall?

Oh! Cease, ye blessed angels, such clamorous joys to make!
Though midnight silence favors, the shepherds are awake;
And you, O glorious star! That with new splendor brings,
From the remotest parts three learned eastern kings,
Turn somewhere else your luster, your rays elsewhere display,
For Herod he may slay the babe, and Christ must straight away.

If we would then rejoice, let’s cancel the old score,
And purposing amendment, resolve to sin no more –
For mirth can ne’er content us, without a conscience clear;
And thus we’ll find true pleasure in all the usual cheer,
In dancing, sporting, reveling, with masquerade and drum,
So let our Christmas merry be, as Christmas doth become.

Bishop Luke Wadding OFM (1585/88-1657)