Christmas 2015
Christmas 2015
Christmas 2015
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
(Luke 2:14)
The message exclaimed by the angels upon Christ’s birth motivates us to search for inner peace. It seems though that besides all of our efforts, everything but peace predominates in our world. Yet, year after year we celebrate Christmas in such a way that only increases our disappointment in not finding peace. Rarely though do we ask ourselves why this occurs. It appears that we celebrate Christmas and hope for peace, but we do not learn from the Incarnation that peace cannot be separated from our freedom from material things, understanding and humility
St. Isaac the Syrian writes: that “no man has understanding if he is not humble, and he who lacks humility is devoid of understanding. No man is humble if he is not peaceful, and he who is not peaceful is not humble. And no man is peaceful without rejoicing. In all the paths upon which men journey in this world, they will find no peace until they draw nigh to hope in God. The heart finds no peace from toil and from stumbling-blocks, until hope enters it, makes it peaceful, and pours joy into it.”
The invitation, “come ye faithful and see where Christ is born”, is a call to seek peaceful understanding, humility and place our hope in the love of the Father. From the manger, Christ cries out: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He says: “Draw nigh and hope in Me, and find rest from labor and fear.”