Beloved Faithful, Christ is born! Glorify Him! With hearts full of light, we draw near to the great Mystery of Bethlehem, that sublime moment when Heaven and Earth unite to welcome the Christ Child. In a humble manger, in simplicity and love, God descends among us, becoming Man for our salvation. This is the true miracle of Christmas – a silent yet profound call to faith, humility, and unconditional love.
In his homily on the Nativity of the Lord, Saint John Chrysostom says: “If He had not been born in the flesh, no one would have been freed from sin; if He had not come down to us, we would not have been raised to Heaven. This is why we celebrate the Nativity of the Lord: for by His coming, the bonds of hell were broken, and we were restored to eternal life.” These words reveal the profound meaning of Christ’s birth: not merely a historical event but the beginning of a new life for all humanity.
Looking at the manger in Bethlehem, we discover the perfect image of heavenly richness. Here, we do not find the pomp of this world but the purity of a holy family and the unspeakable joy of angels and shepherds. In contrast, today’s world often distracts us with superficial glitter and the pursuit of material things that, while temporarily satisfying, leave the soul empty.
Christmas reminds us that true fulfillment is not found in what we possess but in who we are before God. The Christ Child did not come to gather earthly treasures but to show us the way to eternal treasure: love for God and for our neighbor. Let us pause for a moment the dizzying rhythm of modern life and ask ourselves: What do we bring to the manger of the Lord?
In the midst of the world’s chaos, the Mystery of Bethlehem calls us to stillness and prayer. It shows us that true joy is not found in noise and busyness but in the sacred encounter with God, in prayer, good deeds, and communion with loved ones.
As a tangible expression of our love for the Church and the Mystery of Bethlehem, we warmly invite you to join us with open hearts at the Divine Liturgy on Christmas Day. Your presence is not just appreciated, but it is integral to the beauty of this celebration. And afterward, we look forward to sharing the traditional Christmas dinner in the parish hall. This special meal, lovingly prepared by the Ladies Auxiliary and generously donated by the family of Mr. Viorel Jeberean, will be a beautiful moment of fellowship and celebration. By participating, we witness the beauty within our souls, sense of community, and spirit of giving.
Additionally, we remind you that, starting now, all donations will be directed exclusively to the construction fund of our new church until the successful completion of this sacred work. For better organization of the Christmas dinner, please RSVP by December 15, 2024 @ (858) 952-3852
In XC Fr. Iustin Capsa
Parish Priest, Saints Michael and Gabriel
Romanian Orthodox Church, Palm Springs, CA
