2001 Christmas Message (12/01)

Christ is born !   Glorify Him !

As we celebrate the first Christmas of the Third Millennium, the words of the angels repeated daily throughout the two millennia resound fresh and bright as if it were yesterday: "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will among men!" (Luke 2:14) These words, chanted by the angels on the first Christmas night, never cease to offer us hope and joy. Our Divine Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Whose birth we celebrate, is indeed the Hope and Salvation of the world. He is the Prince of Peace and the author of good will.

Our world today faces a struggle that has produced the darkness of fear, confusion, mistrust and anxiety. Many of our youth see the future through the shadow of fear and uncertainty. Fear of suicide bombs, hijacking, chemical and biological warfare, and a so-called 'holy war' has caused a nightmare for most of us. Jesus Christ, "the way the truth and the life," has come into the world as its light.  Two thousand years ago a star shone heralding the birth of the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ the Light of the World. Our Lord Jesus is "the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world." (John 1:9) Light is indeed a great and important symbol around the birth of Jesus Christ, "a light for the revelation to the Gentiles and the glory to His people."

Saint Andrew of Crete describes the Light of Christ this way: "It is the everlasting light, the timeless light revealed in time, the light manifested in the flesh although hidden by nature, the light that shone round the shepherds and guided the Magi." (Orat. 9)

We are called to radiate the light of Christ to all that we meet. The world is in need of us Christians to shine the light and love of Jesus Christ to all in our words and our actions.  This is the challenge we have assumed at our baptism.  "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27) Through a life of daily prayer, frequent Eucharist, and Christian virtue we are enlightened and we deepen our relationship with Christ Jesus, Who is our Savior and Lord. Daily prayer, frequent Eucharist and Christian virtue enable us to intensify our light and better shine that light of Christ in the world.

In early times, the Christians celebrated the Feast of the Theophanies on January 6. This Feast, called the "Feast of Lights," used to include also Christmas, the Nativity of "the Word made flesh."  We read in the Epistle of the day of Theophany: "The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:11-13) On this Feast of Theophany, i.e. God's Manifestation, we celebrate various 'manifestations' or 'epiphanies' of the Lord Jesus as God together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, - Three in One. The Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove, and the voice of God the Father bore witness to Him as His Only-Begotten Son. At Christmas, we celebrate another Manifestation of Jesus Christ as a human being to His Chosen People as well as to the Gentiles. The shepherds symbolized the Jewish people while the Magi symbolized the Gentiles. Besides the "Manifestation" of the "Word becoming flesh" at Christmas and of the Most Blessed Trinity at the Baptism of the Lord, the Feast included also His Manifestation as a 'Miracle Worker' at Cana in Galilee. St. John the Evangelist concludes the story of the Wedding in Cana of Galilee: "This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him." 

There is a certain 'ecumenical' and unifying reality to the Feast of Theophany both on January 6th and on December 25th. Jesus is Savior of the whole world, not just of His people among whom He was born. The angel announced Him to Mary and Joseph: "You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, we feel more than ever a call to unity under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The "Manifestation" of our Lord at Christmas and at Theophany is an obvious invitation to all humanity to share in His saving grace.  St. Peter's courageous affirmation of the Lord Jesus before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish Council) stands as true today as it was two thousand years ago: "This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:11-12)   We pray for the conversion of all non-Christians.  We do not exclude anyone or any group from our prayer.  Jesus is Emmanuel - God with us. "Us" does not imply two opposites, "us and them;" but includes and embraces all human beings as one. No one should be excluded from the salvation which is ours (all humanity's) in Jesus Christ the Savior. This requires a strong commitment to prayer and evangelization on our part. A call to conversion, prayer, evangelization, witness, not to coercion, conquest, or debate. Our faith is expressed through professing it, not proselytizing it. St. Francis of Assisi used to exhort his fellow friars: "Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words." Let us always remember, you may be the only Gospel a person will ever read. 

This 'Call to a New Evangelization' is not a call to knock on doors or to debate the Bible, or the like. This 'New Evangelization' is a call to live in such a way that no one could see our lifestyle and not be drawn by the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. As they said of the Christians in the early Church, "See how they love one another." Our witness to the Lord Jesus Christ and to His Gospel will serve as a 'proof' that Jesus is Lord, and without Him life makes no sense. The love, light, hope, joy and peace radiating in the life of the Christian will bring others to Christ more than all the debate, discussion, and argument we could offer. Also we need to talk to God about others before talking to others about God. Prayer changes things. Only God can touch the heart of another.  God alone can change the heart of another. Prayer and Christian witness are the powerful means given us by God to help in this process.

This Christmas Season let us strive to prepare a place in our hearts and lives for Jesus to be born. Let us also shine the Light of Christ through our goodness and virtue, to shine His love, and offer witness so that others will come to Him. Saint John Chrysostom has some beautiful words that unite these thoughts. "Practice prayer from the beginning. Paint your house with the colors of modesty and humility. Make it radiant with the light of justice. Decorate it with the finest gold leaf of good deeds. Adorn it with the walls and stones of faith and generosity. Crown it with the pinnacle of prayer. In this way you will make it a perfect dwelling place for the Lord."  (Hom.6 De predicatione)

God bless you and your family and all those dear to you. I remember you all every day when I offer the Divine Liturgy and when I pray the Holy Office. You are God's gift to me. My prayer and my love for each and every one of you is my gift to you. May our Lord and Savior be glorified in us during this sacred period of His Nativity and every day of the New Year!

Most Rev. John A. Elya

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