“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
During the darker days of winter, the tilt of the Earth leaves us shrouded in night more so than in the light of day. Yet, after the passing of the winter solstice, the long nights of midwinter begin to wane, and daylight gradually increases. With each dawn bringing a little more brightness, we suddenly behold, in the heart of winter, a dazzling spiritual light: “Christ is born!” The Sun of Righteousness has come to dispel the darkness of sin and death. The Light of the World has come to illuminate our hearts and make us shine brighter than the sun. We hasten to share the good news: “This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)
Yes, my beloved sisters and brothers, Christ is born, and the dark night of sin that once covered the world now dissipates before His brilliance. We are the beneficiaries of this great blessing, joyful recipients of God’s infinite love. The Son of God was born in the flesh not to judge the world, but to save us all. He came to impart understanding of His laws to our minds, and to write His precepts of love on our hearts, so that He might be our God and we might be His people (Hebrews 8:10). Those who lived before the singular event of the Incarnation, blessed as they were, did not receive in their lifetimes the fullness of what was promised; God had foreseen something better for us (Hebrews 11:39). God willed that His Only-Begotten Son take on our fallen nature and walk among us—as perfect God and perfect man—to save humanity, to reveal to us the fullness of Truth, and to lead us to the Kingdom of the Heavens.
As we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity—that cherished day we call Christmas—let our hearts and minds abide in this great and luminous miracle that took place some two thousand years ago. Let us endeavour to recognise what it means that the Second Person of the Trinity took on flesh and was born in the humblest of circumstances. Let us meditate upon that profound moment in history, journeying in spirit to Bethlehem so that we too may worship the King of Kings, the newborn Christ. Let us welcome and embrace His love in our hearts, so that we may become true Christians and children of the Father.
Merry and blessed Christmas to all the world—to all people everywhere.
I pray that the joy and radiance of the Nativity may fill your hearts and homes, so that the New Year 2025 may find us with our attention fixed on Christ, giving thanks for His ineffable condescension and abundant love, and mystically sharing His light for all to see.
With paternal love and blessings,
+ Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain
December 2024
