On the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

(Matthew 2:1-12)(January 7, 2004)

"Christ is born!"

We celebrate today the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ; the Incarnation of the Son of God, the second Person on the Holy Trinity. We celebrate the beginning of the completion of God's plan for our restoration to relationship with Him; the plan that will lead our Incarnate Lord to His crucifixion, death, and glorious Resurrection. In a way, Pascha begins today, with the Feast of the Nativity.

And so we greet each other with this remembrance, that Christ is born; and we reply, "Glorify Him!" But what, exactly, does this mean? How do we glorify Him?

In Scripture, the word "glory" is related to the presence of God; a presence which is "active" and "radiant." The "glory of God" speaks of the very real presence of God. "Glory" also has a sense of "greatness"; to which we pay attention, to which we give honor, respect, and devotion. In connection with our Lord, many times "glory" is also related to "resurrection." The phrase, "Jesus has been glorified" is the same as saying, "Jesus has died and risen again."

So: How do we glorify Him? As "glory" means "presence," we must make Him present. As "glory" means "greatness," we must make Him great. As His glorification speaks of His death and resurrection, we must also die, and live: that is, we must die to self, to the desires and actions of our passion; and live instead for, and in, Christ.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is here with us. We see His presence, among other things, in the icons showing scenes from His life and ministry; and in the bread and wine that He will bless to be His Body and Blood. Our Lord is here with us, in each one of us who has been baptized; each of us is an icon of Christ. And as we live the life of the Orthodox faith, the way of life we learn in the orthodox Church - a life of prayer, and fasting, or alms-giving, and of spiritual struggle against our sins - we make Him present.

Brothers and sisters: Let us celebrate the birth of the Lord by dedicating ourselves to the transformation of our lives and being; to embrace with renewed commitment our Orthodox life and faith. Let us celebrate the Incarnation of the Son of God by striving to live a life without sin. Let us celebrate the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ by honoring Him in each other, and by an awareness that He is born in us, and that we bear Him in order to show Him to the world.

”Christ is born!"