Why does the Orthodox Church light fire during the Christmas (Nativity) Service?

Is it symbolism…

a cultural custom…

Or something far more profound?

Every Christmas, in Orthodox churches, something extraordinary happens.

The Church is dark.

The Gospel is proclaimed.

And suddenly—fire is lit.

But here is the question most Christians never ask:

Why does the Church light a fire at Christmas?

Is it just tradition?

Is it symbolism?

Or is something far deeper being proclaimed?

Because this fire is not a decoration.

It is not drama.

And it is not a cultural habit.

It is a confession of faith.

In this video, we will enter the Nativity itself—not as spectators, but as worshippers—to uncover the biblical, patristic, and liturgical meaning of the Theejwala, the lighting of the fire during the Nativity Service.

We will see how Scripture, the Church Fathers, and Orthodox worship all proclaim one truth:

The Child born in Bethlehem is not merely born—He is the Light of the world.

Stay with me—because once you understand this moment, you will never experience Christmas the same way again.

We enter the heart of Orthodox worship to uncover the biblical, patristic, and liturgical meaning of the Theejwala—the lighting of the fire during the Nativity Service.

This is not decoration.

This is not drama.

This is theology in action.

Drawing from:

• Holy Scripture

• Syriac and Malankara Orthodox tradition

• The Church Fathers

• The Taksa (rubrics) of the Nativity Service

We explore why the fire is lit at the exact moment of the angelic proclamation:

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace and good hope for the sons of men.”

You will discover:

• Why Christ is proclaimed as Light by nature

• How Orthodox worship does not remember events, but enters into them

• Why the Church processes around the fire three times

• How the Nativity already reveals the Light of Pascha

• Why this moment teaches the faith without a sermon

This video is for anyone who wants to move beyond surface-level explanations and experience Christmas as the Church lives it.

📖 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” — John 1:5

🕯️ Watch with reverence.

🕯️ Listen with attention.

🕯️ Enter the mystery.

If this teaching helped you:

• Like the video to support Orthodox TV

• Subscribe for more Scripture-based liturgical teachings

• Share with someone who loves Christmas but wants to understand it more deeply

✠ Glory to God in the highest.