Dear Parishioners,
Christ is born! Glorify him!
“O Christ, what shall we offer You for Your coming on earth as a Man for our sake? Every creature that has its being from You gives thanks to You: the angels offer hymns of praise, the heavens give a star; wise men present their gifts, and the shepherds, their wonder, the earth provides a cave and the desert a manger. As for us, we offer you a Mother, a Virgin Mother. O God who are from all eternity, have mercy on us”
(Christmas Eve Vespers)
What shall we offer Christ this year as we celebrate His Nativity? What birthday gift will please Him and God His Father and His mother Mary, most of all?
Surely the greatest gift we can give Jesus is to accept the gifts which God the Father gives to us through Him. And surely the greatest gift that Jesus gives us from the Father is Himself, His life, His teaching and His body and blood for our salvation.
Let us accept God’s gifts to us in His Son Jesus. Let us accept Jesus Himself as God’s greatest gift. And let us offer ourselves in return to Him, with gratitude and joy, as the Nativity present which will please Him the most.
May your Christmas Season be filled with peace and joy and may the New Year 2012 be for you and your loved ones a year of the Lord’s favor in every way.
With Love in the Incarnate Christ,
Fr. Anargyros