Witnesses of the Nativity of our Lord

Without the Incarnation (God becoming man), we have no hope for salvation. That is what we celebrate with the Nativity of our Lord, the coming of Emmanuel ("God with us"). Our Lord, the Messiah came to us, became lowly and humbled Himself in order to draw us back towards Him. The Feast of His birth is our hope to attain salvation; this is the real meaning of the Feast:

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

Nativity of our Lord-in-the-Flesh

Image Source

While studying the icon above and reading the gospels' accounts of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we are introduced to many who witnessed the occasion. We should emulate their reaction to the news of the source of salvation among God's creation:

Such as the Magi (Wise Men from the East) who searched for the King, having seen His star in the East, came and worshipped Him bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, let us offer our own gifts to those in need, whether it be own time, effort, talents, or financial resources. Let us also, gather in Church to worship God.

Such as the angels who announced the good news to the shepherds and appeared to Joseph in dreams, let us be the bearer of good news sharing the love of Christ and offering praise, saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men" (Luke 2:14) and worshipping to God.

Such as the shepherds who heard the good news of the coming of the Messiah from the angels, and came to the place where Jesus lay, and then returned glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, let us not hide the knowledge of the Church with which we have been blessed to witness. Let us not shy away from sharing the good news of our Lord, but do so first and foremost with our actions as Christians, so as not be hypocrites.

Such as Joseph the Betrothed, who was a just man and didnt wish harm to Mary, but also being confident and courageous in what was told to him by the angel in dreams, followed directions, protecting and caring for the Babe Jesus and His Mother, let us be confident in mysteries we may not understand and have faith that Christ has come to offer us salvation.

Such as the Virgin Mary the Theotokos, who gave birth and nursed the Christ-Child, and accepted the will of God as her own, let us offer ourselves as vehicles for God's will in the world.

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director