“Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth Peace, Goodwill towards Men.”
That was the song of praise sung by the heavenly host once the angel had brought the shepherds the good tidings of the birth of the Christ Child: “There is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2: 11). The song glorifies the Holy God in the Highest who created mankind and loved them to the end, saving him from eternal death by incarnating as man and sacrificing Himself to death on the Cross. He redeemed human beings so that those who believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. The angels’ song of praise goes on to reassure humanity that there shall be peace on earth and goodwill among men.
This is what the Feast of the Nativity celebrates and constantly reminds us of: to give glory to God the Father in the highest, and make peace with ourselves and our brothers and sisters in humanity. Good cheer should dominate our lives because the sting of death has been destroyed and the gift of life granted to us freely by the Christ Child born in the manger.
My best wishes for a blessed Nativity Feast go to our loving, wise patriarch Pope Tawadros II; and to the metropolitans, bishops, priests and congregation of the Coptic Church. I also offer my best wishes to our dearly beloved prelates, pastors, and congregations of the Catholic and Evangelical Churches in Egypt, praying to God to preserve our country and bless her people, and for His peace and goodwill to reign among Egyptians.
Watani International
7 January 2020