Nativity Message
7
January 2014
Coptic Orthodox
Church UK
Media and
Communications Office
Coptic Orthodox
Church (Europe)
Media and Communications Office
Nativity Message from His Grace Bishop Angaelos,
General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom
General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom
Reconciliation in the
Incarnation
Reconciliation is nothing new in
Christianity, and its importance has become more evident both in the lives of
individuals and, on a larger scale, in that of communities. The very concept of
reconciliation was made manifest most powerfully through the Incarnation, and
ultimately in the Cross of our Lord. Through the Incarnation, we, as the most
precious of all creation, once again became reconciled to God, our Creator and
loving Father, “…that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through
the Cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.” (Ephesians 2:16)
The heart of God has always been one
of reconciliation, to restore what was lost and to repair broken bonds; and we
can see this both in the New and Old Testaments. Not only is it the
intention of our Father to be reconciled with all humanity, but through the
Person of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have been given an example and are called
to follow in His footsteps; this is evident in 2 Corinthians 5:18, “Now all
things are of God, Who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and
has given us the ministry of reconciliation”.
We are encouraged when we remember,
especially during this Holy Feast of the blessed Nativity, that our Lord did
not make Himself manifest to humanity in a glorified state, but rather took
flesh and willingly bore the pains of poverty. Our Lord lived in adversity and
endured hostility with all humility in order that we may attain strength
through Him, and in that knowledge, to overcome any challenges we may
encounter.
Our true strength as Christians lies
in the determined and continued efforts to faithfully abide in our Lord, living
and serving as He did. As has been the case for centuries, the powerful witness
of Christians in Egypt and throughout the Middle East, and the spirit of
non-retaliation and love for those who consider themselves enemies, comes
naturally by the grace of God and continues to testify to the presence of our
Lord as He instructs us saying, “…But I say to you, love your enemies, bless
those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who
spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in
heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45)
The world has truly witnessed the
manifest love of Christ in the spirit of forgiveness demonstrated by members of
our community in Egypt as they have suffered repeated assaults and endured
hostility, incitement and hatred. In bearing the very personal attacks on
individuals, communities, churches, homes and businesses, the super-human power
of restraint and forgiveness, which can only come from our Lord, has overcome
all that has sought to threaten our very existence in Egypt. Despite repeated
attempts to provoke Christians to anger and retaliation, there has been nothing
but resilience, perseverance, humility, restraint and love demonstrated towards
all those who seek to cause harm.
Whether one lives in the Middle East,
in the United Kingdom, or anywhere in the world, there will always be an
opportunity to be a reconciling agent at some level, and it is at this time
that we follow in our Saviour’s footsteps and become “peacemakers” so that we
are “children of our heavenly Father”.
As we celebrate the Feast of the
Nativity, we must remember that through this witness, as with the humble
reconciling Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to be those who
continually testify to the love of God for all humanity. In doing so we can
“overcome evil with good”, providing, in the midst of such apparent darkness, a
guiding light and the opportunity for all to be reconciled to
Christ.
We pray blessings, joy and protection
upon all those celebrating this New Year and the commemoration of the Birth of
our Saviour, while holding in our prayers those living in areas of conflict in
the Middle East, Africa and throughout the world, that we may sing with the
angels “Glory be to God in the Highest, peace on earth and goodwill towards
men.”
