Christ is born! Let us glorify Him! Our Lord Jesus Christ came to this world amid a time of oppression and hardship when freedom was only a dream for the down-trodden and hope was not a consolation for the broken-hearted. In swaddling clothes, He wrapped us in His light and His radiant face looked upon creation with compassion. He smiled upon us and replenished our hearts with joy: “My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek’” (Psalm 27:8). His life began and ended with persecution, yet He slept through storms so we may have His peace through adversities. He walked on water that we may know the power of faith that conquers fear. He raised the dead that we may know that He is the Almighty God. He forgave sins that we may be renewed and restored. He died so that we may have eternal life. He was born and called Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14), meaning God with us, a seal of assurance that He will never forsake us but will always be with us.
Fear is a natural human reaction, but in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are valiant against all forces of evil: “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). Thus, we must always be joyful for His humble birth confirmed that happiness is found when we love and trust God above all things and above all others for when the Word became flesh, fear was discarded and replaced with love: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1John 4:18). The supremacy of God’s love and the measures He took to prove His unwavering love are incomprehensible to our minds because His love is real and everlasting: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Thus, the vanities and worries of the world have no dominion over us because God’s love dwells richly in the hearts of His children and engulfs them in His glory.
People cling to things and to other people, positions, and possessions, but are soon forsaken by them all. Do not be satisfied with the world’s standards and hope to attain favour with anyone for selfish gain but rather strive to please God because the worldly look to themselves and measure their self-worth in frivolous matters more than they trust in God: “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). Know how precious you are to God, our heavenly Father, who loves His children and implanted kindheartedness and resolve in you who believe in Him: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12–13). Rejoice for you are sons and daughters of the only King and He is mighty and merciful: “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me” (Psalm 27:10). Likewise, do not forsake Him, but rejoice in our Saviour’s birth, which commenced the first steps on the path of our salvation, and imitate even a single drop of His love. His manger harboured His love for He is a humble God, and you will see Him in your humility in the Bethlehem of your heart.
Another year has passed, and the world continues to unravel. Hatred and envy yielding to hostilities and warfare have destroyed more than earthquakes, fires, hurricanes, and all ecological catastrophes combined. Let us pray for peace throughout the world, peace within our families, peace between spouses, peace among neighbors, peace in our churches, and inner peace. Let us pray and ask for the intercession of our Lady the Mother of God, Saint Mary, and all the angels and saints, that the Lord keep the life and standing of our honored father, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope and Patriarch of the Church of Alexandria and the See of St Mark, for many years and peaceful times. Let us praise with the angels and say wholeheartedly: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14).
God bless you and bless this new year with His peace, love, and goodness.
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His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef is Metropolitan of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States (suscopts.org).
Watani International
7 January 2024
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