December 11, 2008
HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN ALEXIOS MESSAGE ON THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
Christmas, 2008

The Virgin today gives birth to the superessential One,
And the earth proffers the cave to the unapproachable One.
Angels with the shepherds sing song of praise;
The Magi, with the star to guide pursue their way.
For us there has been born, A newborn babe, the God before time.

Romanos the Melodist (Kontakia on the Person of Christ: On the Nativity I)


Reverend Clergy and the Faithful of the Holy and God-protected Metropolis of Atlanta

My dearly beloved in the Lord,

At this blessed season of anticipation and hope, I greet you with love and joy in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The message of the angels continues to remind us, as people of faith, to “Be not afraid…”(Luke 1:30). Indeed, despite the problems and adversities of the current times, and the very real difficulties that we face, we are not afraid because of our certain and sure faith that God is with us!

Now the love and mercy of God is shown to us, once again, as our Eternal and Almighty God enters the world as one of us. We joyfully sing, “God is with us”, as we give thanks for all that has been done for us on this glorious day!

When we face difficult times, when sorrow and sadness overcome us, when it seems that darkness and evil have triumphed, we need only remember the blessed Light that overcame the darkness and be comforted by the certainty that our God is always with us. Truly we are never alone, for everywhere we are, and in all that we endure, God is with us. Let us celebrate and give thanks for this great gift that will transform our lives, illumine our darkness and fill us with hope and love.

Just as Christ was born in Bethlehem, so at Christmas, He is born in our hearts, minds and souls, if we make room for Him. Let us therefore welcome Him into our hearts and lives, with love and joy, and with faith reborn, so that together, we may rejoice and proclaim to all the world that “God is with us!”

Paternally yours with love in our Incarnate Lord,

+ALEXIOS
Metropolitan of Atlanta