Bishop Sergei Ryakhovsky named the true meanings of Christmas

“Christ was born, and this is a great joy for all mankind!”

Remembering the greatest event on Earth – the birth of Jesus Christ, each of us imagines something different. Today I want to draw your attention to several important points.

Above all, Christmas is a symbol of life. It brings hope for change and a better life. We Christians believe that thanks to the born Messiah, the world can change. By building earthly life on biblical values, changes will occur in society in all spheres of life – economic, social, spiritual.

Reading the Gospel, we see that not everyone will rejoice at Christmas. There were people who hated and rejected the baby, as was the case with Herod. But there were also those who, like the Magi, came to the newborn Savior and worshiped Him. Christmas reminds us of the different reactions to the Good News and tells us that every person has the right to choose – to reject or accept the born Christ.

We live in difficult times. Bitterness, wars, death, earthquakes, crises have long become our reality. Christ Himself warned us about the difficulties in the world. But it is Christmas that brings hope for resolving world crises and problems, and gives us hope to go through these trials and changes with faith together with Christ. It brings faith in a kinder and more just world.

This year we celebrate Christmas on the eve and beginning of 2024, declared by the President of the Russian Federation as the Year of the Family. Interestingly, the Bible reveals that the topic of family is important to God. From the moment of creation until the book of Revelation, God shows man the importance of building a family on the right foundation. A Christmas Story is no exception. The main characters of this event, the Holy Family, depicted in many famous paintings, remind us of the importance of family values. We see Joseph, Mary and the Christ Child, representing the image of an ideal family. Christmas calls upon humanity to return and follow these values. Interestingly, Joseph was not the biological father of Christ, but played an important role in the birth of the Savior. He agreed to fulfill the divine mission – to accept and raise a “stranger, adopted” child. This reminds us that God also accepts everyone who turns to Him. We can read about this in Ephesians chapter 1, verse 5: “Having predestined us to be sons as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will.” Through the birth of the Son of God, every person became a child of the Heavenly Father: “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1).

Of course, Christmas reminds us of eternal life and the divine purpose of man. Our eternity and our divine origin make us special and bring hope for a brighter future. Although the serpent’s intervention changed everything, we can find comfort in knowing that God came into the world as the Christ Child and gave us the hope of eternal life.

The Nativity of Christ is a time of miracles when God became incarnate in human form to save humanity. That night, the little Child, born in a stable in Bethlehem, surrounded by the gifts of the wise men and shepherds, became the hope of all mankind. Jesus became the Light that penetrates darkness and fills human hearts with the light of comfort and mercy. After all, the birth of Christ testifies to us of God’s endless love.

The Nativity of Christ is not just a holiday, it is a true worship of our Creator and Savior. This is a time to reflect on the profound meaning of Christ’s birth, His sacrifice, and the divine plan of salvation. Christ brought hope to this world and shed His Blood for redemption to give us eternal life.

A great event inspires us to be kinder, wiser, more humble. Teaches to show care, generosity, love and forgiveness. It reminds us of strong faith and the ability to change ourselves and the world around us. The time when Christ was born marked the beginning of a new era filled with hope, peace and love. The great story of Christmas has become a symbol of hope, peace and love.

Congratulations to everyone on the wonderful, great and solemn holiday of the Nativity of Christ! May Christ Himself through this event fill your life with joy, peace and divine grace. Peace and love to your families!

Christ was born, and this is a great joy for all humanity!