Christmas Greeting

Beloved in the Godchild Christ brothers and sisters,

I wish you a most blessed feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ and I greet you with the most joyous greeting:

Peace of God! Christ is Born!

The story of Christ’s birth speaks to us about the mysterious ways of God. The Triune God acts in ways that we do not always expect! His ways are truly wonder-filled. For centuries, the Ancient Israelites had expected the Messiah. The prophets, especially Isaiah and Jeremiah, called the people to readiness and openness to God’s actions. Their message provided the people with indications about the coming Messiah.

Yet, when ‘the fullness of time had come’ (Gal. 4:4), the Messiah did not arrive as a conquering hero in a golden chariot with pomp and splendor. He was not robed in expensive clothing. He did not appear in the capital city. Throngs of adoring followers did not accompany him.

When the Messiah finally arrived, he came first as a baby. He was born to a young girl, Virgin Mary. The event occurred in the simple village of Bethlehem. He was sheltered in a place reserved for animals because the inn was full. There, in such simple circumstances, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth…” (Jn. 1: 14). This is the mysterious way of God’s revelation!

Through the Christmas story, Our Lord reveals that God acts in ways that we do not always expect. We cannot shape the mighty acts of God to our limited understanding. The Triune God is greater than our limited perceptions of Him, yet He reveals Himself through the incarnation of the Second person of The  Holy Trinity  God-man Jesus Christ. He acts in mysterious and wondrous ways to draw us to Him and to one another in love.

I wish you a most blessed Christmas and Happy New 2020 Year!

With love in Christ,

Fr. Blasko Paraklis