[Arabic Version]
“But when the fullness of time comes, God sent forth His Son, Born of a woman, born under the law, in order that He might redeem those under the law that we may receive what is our due, the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).
The faithful in the four corners of the world, in one heart, meet around the incarnate Divine Child, praising and glorifying and thanking God for His love. They celebrate the revelation of his love to all mankind, which has appeared in the Person of His Son who became like us in the Body. He came to our world born in a Manger, in a poor cave in Bethlehem.
This gift which God had given to us has changed the face of the mankind and brought salvation to every one. It is a light which enlighten the history, and has condemned all types of slavery, darkness, ignorance and replaced them with the Grace of love, goodness, justice and peace.
We are going to celebrate the most important event of history at same time we are saying good bye to a year of our lives, during which many events, social, economical, political, natural, had happened and effects on many of us.
Doubtless to say that the Divine light lives in the Bottom of man’s soul and leads it towards goodness, justice, and salvation, that is why we pray for the peace in the world, and for the love to fulfills the hearts of all, wherever they are,
and from whatever nationality, race colour or religion.
The Celebration of the Coming of the Son of God is a celebration of an opportunity also. This opportunity might open up to us the gates of the real freedom which the Lord had spoken to us about in His Gospel and might lead us away from the darkness and save us from falling in the temptations.
The lord, who is the only Son of His Father, took our human nature in order to save us from death through the Cross. “And He is with us always till the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20), and His redemptional work which He began on the Cross is continuing in His Church, and He paid for it by his own blood. The church will help us to reach Union with Him.
Our hope of the Divine Child, in the end of a year and the beginning of a new one is to recognise the Great love which revealed to us through the Incarnate Son. This distinction will enable us to recognise the value of the Divine gifts which will help us to renew our lives. These gifts can liberate us from fear and anxiety; they may lead us through against the temptations and to experience the daily love, justice, and peace. The peace which comes from the Manger’s Child brings with it, fulfillment to the souls with security, trust, and peace, and unify the hearts and liberate them from all the fears.
The Nativity of our Lord will deepen and strengthen our faith. And the light that shines from Bethlehem Cave, may illumines our hearts and fulfills them with hope. The Living of goodness’ life might be accomplished through these gifts. These gifts give life and strength to our spiritually and enable us to be unified with the Lord. And when we are united with Him, the aim of our life becomes to imitate and live according to His commandments.
He is the One who said:” I am the vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5) and in other place, He says: “if anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink” (John 7:37).
During our celebration this year of the Nativity of our Lord, we should deepen the essence of our faith. To trust ourselves to a point where will enable us to confront the temptations of the next year. Carrying the wisdom of the living Jesus, we might stay away from all the evils, and train ourselves to respect the neighbour’s spirituality and common principles.
These are important and essential elements to every one is willing to sing with me the Angelic song:” Glory to God in the high, peace and happiness on earth."
Very Merry Christmas to all
Metropolitan Paul Saliba
Christmas 2009