Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Western Prelate's Christmas Message

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Western Prelate's Christmas Message

    Western Prelate's Christmas Message
    Asbarez
    Jan 4th, 2010 .


    `Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward
    men!' (Luke 2:14)


    Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
    Dearly Beloved,

    The Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord is a celebration
    of the birth of hope, a new hope that our Savior Jesus Christ provided
    with His Glorious Birth.

    In that humble manger in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago, hope
    permeated the world as the Light shined from the manger and
    illuminated a darkened world. What transpired on that silent and holy
    night was the beginning of God's redemptive plan for mankind. God
    sent His only begotten Son to bear our burdens and to sustain us; the
    Word became flesh and lived among us. Christmas is a reminder that
    the Lord gave Himself to us in Baby Jesus and brought us a Light that
    no darkness can extinguish.

    The past year has been a trying time for all peoples around the world.
    The global economic climate has left many unsettled and despondent.
    Furthermore, the Armenian people were thrust into a state of
    uncertainty about the future of our cause and our nation.
    The year 2010 marks the 95th anniversary of the Genocide. It is easy
    to feel disparaged as it seems unclear what the outcome of our
    decades-long struggle for our national rights will be. Now more than
    ever we must continue to place our hopes in our Lord Jesus Christ, for
    `Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the
    Lord' (Jeremiah 17:7). The Lord has sustained us and guided our path
    as a people for centuries and we can be certain that at this
    crossroads too, He will lead us as we labor for our goals and our
    dreams. Let us not place false hopes on those who will disappoint,
    but rather in our Lord Savior Jesus Christ, for God knows and will
    meet our needs. As the Apostle Paul asserts in Romans, `hope does not
    disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts
    by the Holy Spirit who was given to us' (Romans 5:5).

    Dear Faithful,

    In this season of gift giving, let us remember that we have been
    bestowed the greatest gift of all; Jesus Christ's presence and hope in
    our lives. Let us remember not only during Christmastime but
    throughout the year that He, and only He, is our hope and the Light of
    the world. We all face times of darkness; however let us rejoice in
    that the Lord has given us enduring hope even in our darkest hours.

    On this glorious occasion, I convey my blessings and extend my well
    wishes for health and prosperity to our clergy, Executive Council,
    delegates, parishes' representatives, educators, members of sister
    organizations, faithful parishioners, and friends.
    I pray that the Christmas hope is born anew in all of us and for the
    Light of Jesus Christ to radiate in us and fill our lives with peace.
    `Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
    that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit'. (Romans
    15:13)

    A happy and blessed New Year to you all
    Christ is Born and Revealed

    Prayerfully,
    Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Working...
X