CHRISTMAS PASTORAL

Celebrate the gift of the coming of Christ

To the Reverend Clergy, the Religious and Faithful of the Eparchy of Stamford:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son ... John 3:16

This message comes to you with my prayer that, as we bring one millennium to a close and begin another, this Christmas will be a source of renewed blessings. At the Nativity Liturgy the Church presents to us the story of the Three Magi (Mt. 2:1) three who were inspired to follow a star; three who laid aside all the cares of life and mounted their camels to pursue a vision. We are told this story to remind us that not only has the universe been changed by the coming of Jesus the Messiah, but that we, too, should lay aside all earthly cares (Mt. 6:34) in following the Christ who saved us.

It would be wonderful if we, together, let the coming of Christ into our lives cause us to love each other as Christ loved us (Jn. 15:12) - unconditionally. This is the vision the Church presents to us during this feast. We, too, should join in the mission of salvation that began in Bethlehem.

Imagine in your mind this scene: An infant wrapped in swaddling clothes. The King of kings (Rev. 19:16) could have come in majesty, yet chose to come in an apparently helpless state. He came in this way to say that He is joining us in the work of salvation and that we must join with Him in carrying out the divine plan of restoring humanity in its relationship with God as it had been in Paradise.

At Christmas we celebrate the gift of the coming of Christ; we remember the gifts of the Magi (Mt. 2:11). It would be only fitting that we should join in the spirit of giving. As we let Jesus into our hearts, let us seek out at least one area in which we can let the grace of Christ flow through us. Let us resolve together that we will be the hands of Christ to someone in need; the ears of Christ to someone who needs to be listened to; and the eyes of Christ to show compassion (Mt. 20:34). This is how the love of God is experienced at Christmas. Love is shared from person to person. God shares His love for our family and friends by becoming part of the love we share. The secret for a fruitful Christmas and a fruitful life is to let God use us for His purpose; to let it be done for us as God wills (Lk. 1:38); to do God's will ... to love one another as He has loved us (Jn. 15:12).

May this message be for you, one from the God who loves you, asking you to give of yourself unconditionally in sharing the Good News of Great Joy that not only has our Savior been born, but also that God loves His people (Jn. 16:27). So many when they hear this call from Christ, say, "Not I, Lord!" They have excuses like those invited to the Banquet (Mt. 22:2). They feel that there are others more qualified as Moses argued. Our Lord tells His followers that He came to give life and to give it abundantly (Jn. 10:10). Only in answering the call will any of us find happiness and fulfillment.

I know that the call to the priesthood is going out to many who are not answering it. They are not happy. It reminds me of a young man who wrote a letter to an advice columnist, "I've got to decide between getting married or entering the seminary. Marriage is beautiful, but every night when I go to sleep I dream about the priesthood." As the Magi gave up so much, may that young person and others follow not only their dream, but the star. May this star enlighten the way of their life.

May the Sun of Justice shine the way for us to follow together as faithful of the Eparchy of Stamford for the next millennium in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
The Most Rev. Basil H. Losten, D.D.
Eparch of Stamford
(New York and New England)

Given December 8, 2000
The Feast of the Conception of St. Ann
in the Cathedral of St. Vladimir the Great

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, December 24, 2000, No. 52, Vol. LXVIII

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