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Beloved in Christ, “This is our God; none shall be compared to Him, Who, being born of a Virgin, dwelt among men” (see Isaiah 40:18, Festal Canon). Today the uncreated Light shines forth in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it. The One enthroned upon the cherubim is laid in a humble manger; the Giver of the Law rests in the arms of the Maiden who knew not man. The heavens declare the glory of God, for the angels sing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” The earth receives her King, as the Magi fall down in worship and the shepherds behold the Great Shepherd. The cave becomes heaven; the Virgin’s womb, more spacious than the heavens, bears Him Whom the universe cannot contain. This, brothers and sisters, is the great exchange: God becomes man, that man might become god by grace. The Nativity is not merely the remembrance of a distant night in Bethlehem, but the present manifestation of Emmanuel—God with us—calling each of us to bear His light within, until the glory of the Incarnate One fills all creation. Let us, then, enter spiritually into that cave and join the hymn of the angels, offering the worship of hearts purified by love. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and His kingdom shall have no end. To Him be glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Christ is born! Glorify Him! With love in the newborn King, Alexander Archbishop of Toledo and the Bulgarian Diocese  |
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