CHRISTMAS 2024

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call
His name Immanuel, which will mean: God is with us" (Is 7: 14)
Dear brothers and sisters,
In these holy days when we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we should remember the prophecy left to us by the prophet Isaiah. It is not only a call to faith and hope, but a profound revelation of God's love and presence in human history. Among the most powerful and most exalted parts of this prophecy is that of Immanuel - God with us. Christmas reveals to us again what our ancestors already knew: that in Christ what Isaiah foretold has come true, and in His name lies a deep and inexhaustible meaning.
These words, written more than seven centuries before the birth of Christ, express a profound truth about God's intention to be with his people. Isaiah speaks of Immanuel as a sign that will show people that God is not far away, that he is not abstract or inaccessible, but that he is present in our lives. Immanuel, which means "God is with us" in Hebrew, is not only a symbol of God's closeness. It is a reality that will be realized in the person of Jesus Christ. This Feast shows us that it was no accident that God chose these prophecies to be fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. In His birth we see that heaven has come down to earth and that God's eternal wisdom and mercy continue from now on in human history. Christ's birth is confirmation that God does not remain a passive observer, but an active participant in our lives.
As we consider the meaning of Immanuel in prophecy, we cannot help but notice another profound characteristic of Him. He is not only God who is with us at all times, but also the Savior, the one who comes to free his people from all evil. The prophet Isaiah describes Immanuel as the One who will be "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). All this was realized in Christ. He is the one who brings God's peace, which is not disputed, nor transitory, but eternal and true. In Immanuel a peace has been announced that surpasses all human conceptions of peace. Jesus, as the Son of God, did not come to bring us temporary peace, but to bring eternal peace to the whole world. Such peace is not only the fruit of inner silence, but the peace that brings salvation. That true peace that Christ brought is not only human, but Divine peace, which spreads among all who receive Him as their Savior.
In his love, God sent us Immanuel to lead us out of the darkness of sin and to offer us the light of salvation. He did not come to judge us, but to save us, to teach us how to live in love and community, in humility and sacrifice. Jesus Christ is God's confirmation that there is no pit so deep and dark that we can be in, and that God's light and love cannot reach. Therefore, as we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us think about the deep meanings that this prophecy carries.
God is truly with us, not only in the joy of Christmas, but also in all our life situations. He is with us when we go through trials and sufferings, He is with us in our joys and sorrows, and He is the one who gives us peace, love and hope. The Nativity of Jesus Christ is God's announcement of love and hope for all people, regardless of their condition. It is a promise that God will not abandon his people, that he will be with us until the end of time.
The feast of Christ's Nativity invites us to remember that Immanuel - God is with us, that He is the Savior and the Prince of Peace, and that it is His love that lights our way. In these days, when we celebrate His birth, we are called to feel in our lives the presence of that Divine peace that He brings. Let this Christmas joy be joy in our hearts, and let God's love be the light that will guide us through all the days of our lives.
We pray to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, to send His peace to our suffering people in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as to our brothers in faith in Russia, Ukraine, Syria, Palestine and Lebanon, so that they may welcome this great Holiday with joy.
We thank all of you who contributed to our monastery, our Diocese and all our Churches, as well as to all those who need material help. May the Lord repay everyone with His eternal gifts.
With all our hearts, we greet you with joyful words:
PEACE FROM GOD - CHRIST IS BORN!
HAPPY AND GOD BLESSED YEAR 2025!
Your intercessor before
the Divine Christ Child,
ARCHBISHOP
METROPOLITAN OF CANADA
MITROFAN