DECEMBER 1997

Christmas is, once again, here. The day and season so long awaited by many, especially the children, is upon us. It is a time filled with so many unique and beautiful expressions. The most important of these is Christ, Himself, the very essence and meaning of Christmas.

      So often in our desire to celebrate the feast of the Nativity, we lose sight of the essence. We worry about so many of the externals that the central and most important figure is lost. The birth of Christ is overshadowed with the trees, lights and decorations. We more easily associate Santa with the holiday than the Child of Bethlehem. While these other expressions can complement our celebration of the feast, they should not so greatly overwhelm us, so that we lose track on our spiritual journey and end up at some other destination.

      And, what does it really mean for us to celebrate the birth of Christ — what meaning should we really find in this sacred and holy season?

      It is critical that we understand the reason for His birth. Our Orthodox liturgical traditions, as recorded in the Mystery of Baptism, tells us — "For in His merciful compassion, He could not endure to see us under the tyranny of the Devil, but He came and saved us." In His love for His creation, God took on flesh and walked among us for no other reason than to liberate us from the slavery of sin. This, He did, freely and unconditionally. St. Romanos beautifully expresses these thoughts in the Akathist Hymn, as he writes: "Wishing to save the world, to this end did the Ruler of all come of His own will; and, though as God He is the Shepherd, for us He appeared as a man like unto us; for by this likeness He called those of like kind, yet as God he does hear: Alleluia." This loving action of unconditional love and compassion of the Creator to His creation is clearly illustrated in the writings of St. Paul, who speaks of the divine "Kenosis." "Have this in mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Phil 2: 5-8).

      The above testimonies speak to us not only of the sacrificing love of Christ, but also of his humility, as well. Though He was God — He became man — though omnipotent He washed the feet of the disciples — though holy and pure, be ministered among the sinful. His crown of glory was bright because of his humility.

      In the words love and humility, then, do we find the essence of the feast and the example. How beautiful it is to give the gift of love to the world, as Christ did. Any gift, any measure, anything without love is empty and meaningless. The words of St. Paul, once again, remind us of this, as he spoke to the Christian community in Corinth. (See 1 Cor., Chapter 13). "He who loves the Lord has first loved his brother, because the second is the proof of the first", writes St. John of the Ladder. Let us then "make love our aim", as we are directed and let us give love to God, to others and even to ourselves. That is, of course, true and pure love — that which gives and never asks.

      May His love bless and keep you all well. And, may The New Year of 1998 be filled with health, happiness, peace, grace and love for all.