Archbishop Makarios of Australia has shared a message of faith for Christmas this year.
Full Message:
Venerable brothers, fellow Bishops and my beloved children.
Most people who refer to the feast of Christmas focus their attention on the fact that God became human in order to make us good.
A basic presupposition for a human person’s progress, the word ‘Theosis’ is repentance, which means a return to God, whom we have denied by choosing with our actions to move away from Him.
The birth of Christ, however, brings to our thinking another reality. Not only is the human person thought to return and to repent, but God’s return to the world is also signalled.
God returns to the life of humanity in a surprising and paradoxical way because it is a fact that we humans have expelled Him, we have banished Him from our lives.
God was the great stranger. We did not give Him any room to be present. On the occasion of today’s beautiful day, for His birth, I ask you to accept the return of Christ into the world and into your life.
Our Orthodox faith is not an ideology, a cultural phenomenon or a simple element of our national identity, that is not based on the presence of the incarnate crucified and the resurrected Christ.
Do not fall into the trap of this world which has created religions full of ideas and cultural elements, but devoid of the presence of God.
We have a living faith and a living God. We want God in our lives. He’s the one whom we desire. He’s the one in whom we believe. And He’s the one in whom we have placed our hope.
If, therefore, you experience some trials, if you have sorrows and difficulties, believe in the power of Christ and do not beg for happiness by knocking on the wrong doors. Do not lean on the wrong people.
Believe in Christ, allow Him to dwell in your heart. Then you and Christ together, alone, will realise the great miracle of change in your life.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
