Congratulations from Metropolitan of Belgorod and Stary Oskol John
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The Savior of the world was born in Bethlehem. In His name – Jesus Christ – the purpose of His coming is revealed: “The true light, which enlightens every person who comes into the world. He was in the world, and through Him the world began to be…” (John 1:9-10).
The mysterious Incarnation of the Son of God is incomprehensible to the human mind, just like Christ Himself, the Savior of the world. Christianity, having spread throughout the universe, gave the theological foundation to cultures and states. It is especially important to remember this today, when attempts to divide peoples and deprive them of the beginnings of conciliar residence continue unabated.
The good news brought by Christ is a comprehensive principle of being. During the earthly life of Christ, they took Him for a Jewish preacher and waited for the time of His reign to come. Later, He was compared to teachers of wisdom like Buddha or Confucius, and Latin American followers of “liberation theology” called Him a socialist.
Each historical epoch perceived the Divine Infant as a receptacle of their aspirations, hopes and aspirations for a better earthly life, but Christ says: “My kingdom is not of this world … For this I was born and for this I came into the world to testify to the Truth” (John 18 , 36–37).
Man himself is incapable of reconciling with the Creator, Whom he offended by sin. But the Apostle Paul gives us hope – after all, Christ reconciled all mankind with God the Father, therefore the Incarnation does not reproach us for sins. We Christians are a new creation, we have all received adoption by the Heavenly Father.
The Nativity of Christ is a ministry of reconciliation that will be performed until the Second Coming, therefore the main task of the clergy is to be messengers on behalf of Christ, heralds of the word of reconciliation: “All the same, from God, who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5, 18).
The Infant Christ educates, teaches, guides us in the Gospel way. We live in an era of sorrows, suffering and rapid changes, but, as one of the Russian philosophers said: “everything will be melted down in the Russian furnace.” And we can’t distance ourselves from reality.
The tears of mothers, the blood of very young warriors, separation and destruction – everything will be conquered by Christ, if He is in our hearts. We must call people to sacrifice, mercy and love, because in love, according to the words of the Apostle John, “there is no fear, but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).
The Infant Christ is with us!
God is with us!
I heartily congratulate all of you on the New Year of the goodness of God – 2023 and Merry Christmas!
Christ is born – meet!
Christ is born – praise!
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