BATH, PA [DOEPA COMMUNICATIONS]

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

I greet you all with much joy as we celebrate the feast of the Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ!

Throughout the liturgical life of our faith, the kliros is the classroom of our Church. The words used throughout the Christmas services can be described in one word: Joy. As our Lord takes on the human flesh, we are invited to rejoice with bodiless powers in praising the Word who dwells amongst us. “God is with us, understand all ye nations, and submit yourselves, for God is with us!” (Isaiah 8:9-10).

Is the birth of our Savior filled with great mystery? Yes. The Virgin gives birth, yet remains a virgin. God takes on our human nature, yet He remains that which He is from all eternity. The King of All is born in a cave. The manger is His throne. Simple shepherds are His court. The angels are His messengers. The kings of this world are His enemies. The Messiah comes quietly. Despite centuries of anticipation, they fail to recognize Him as the Living Word, the Prince of Peace, and the Father of the world to come.

However, dear ones, “For unto us a Son is born, unto us a Child is given.” This is why we rejoice! The love God offers us through the Incarnation of His Son transcends all knowledge, yet it is genuine, it is freely offered as a gift to all who accept and share and delight in it. By the eyes of faith alone do we discover that which is beyond all comprehension and rejoice in the reality of the Lord’s love for you, for me, and for us, despite how sinful and unworthy we all are. This is the abundant mercy of our God.

May the understanding of the Incarnation renew us and refresh us now, in the new year to come, and in every moment of our lives. I prayerfully extend to you and your families every blessing for a peaceful and joyful Nativity season.

Your unworthy father in Christ,

+MARK

Archbishop of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania

Issued by the Diocesan Media Office