ΙΕΡΑ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΗ

ΑΜΕΡΙΚΗΣ

Christmas 2006

The Reverend Clergy, Esteemed Members of the Parish Councils, Philoptochos Societies,

Faculty & Students of the Catechetical and Greek Afternoon Schools,

Directors and Participants of all Youth Organizations, and all devout Orthodox Christians of the Greek Orthodox Communities of our Holy Metropolis of New Jersey

 “All things are filled with joy today, for  Christ is born from the Virgin.”

My Beloved in the Lord,                  

             It is with inexpressible and boundless spiritual joy that every Christian heart rejoices today on this great and holy Feast of the Nativity according to the flesh of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Indeed, the festive and blissful nature of the Nativity Feast causes all of us the world over to leap with spiritual elation and peacefulness.

             The great herald and Prophet Isaiah had spoken about “the child” (Isaiah 9:6) centuries ago and behold, the Christ-Child was born, became incarnate, and dwelt among us, for “when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son.” (Gal. 4:4) Since sin had permeated and flooded the world and humankind was living in a state of wretchedness and rebellion, deeply immersed into the dark abyss of irreverence and tragedy, it was then that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…full of grace and truth,” (John 1:14). For sin was supplanted by the grace of God, darkness by divine light, falsehood by truth, injustice by divine justice and death by life. For now God is with us, Emmanuel.

             The joy of the season is universal, for Christ’s Nativity has saved the human race and the Sun of Righteousness has dawned upon the world. “Christ is on earth; arise to Him.” Christ was born so that man might redeem himself and his proper place in the world, He was born of a Virgin so that woman might be exalted, He was born as a babe so that He might bless the infants, He was born in all humility in a meager cave so that He might confirm that which He Himself would preach: “he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

            My beloved, our joy is truly universal since God who is the source of this joy became man and came to earth Himself, for “He bowed the heavens and came down.” (Psalm 17:10) He came to unite God with man, as was the divine message of the angel on that night of the first Christmas: “For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” (Luke 2:10) In this manner joy, the gift of God, is spread everywhere as it is a joy for all peoples, just as the sun shines brilliantly upon all creation.

             St. Gregory the Theologian helps us to understand and delve more deeply into the true essence and meaning of our Lord’s birth when he says, “Christ came to give flight to our soul, to bring all peoples together and offer them to God…and to make man god.” Thus we see the underlying purpose of our Lord’s incarnation: to give flight to our soul, which although created to fly towards the heavens, was held captive to soar only on earth. Hence, Christ comes and frees it, gives it life and strength, so that it may fly and soar, finding its God.

             Let us in like manner, my beloved, with our soul’s soaring wings, be exalted so that we may enjoy the true joy of Christmas, as we are exhorted to do so by the hymnology of our Church: “You righteous, be glad in heart; and the heavens, be exultant; Leap for joy, O mountains, at the birth of the Messiah.”

            May the Joy of Christmas, the Hope of the New Year 2007 and the Grace and Blessings of our Incarnate Lord be with all of you and your beloved families.

With Paternal Love in the New-Born King and God

 † E V A N G E L O S 

Metropolitan of New Jersey

To be read from the pulpit on Sunday December 24^th, 2006

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