Pastoral Message of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Hierarchy of USA
This year we Ukrainians conclude the Jubilee Year Commemorating the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of our ancestors in the River Dnipro by the Grand Prince, St. Volodymyr the Great, the Equal-to-the-Apostles. Because of this dramatic and blessed event, our people were illuminated by the light of Jesus Christ and His Word penetrated their hearts.
Pope Francis states in his Encyclical Letter, Lumen Fidei: “The light of Faith: this is how the Church’s tradition speaks of the great gift brought by Jesus.” The Holy Father continues by quoting St. John’s Gospel where Christ says of Himself: “I have come as Light into the world, that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness”.
That darkness was shattered by the appearance of a bright star followed by the Wise Men from the East. We are able to celebrate anew the great mystery of our faith – the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ – because we inherited this faith from our ancestors. And what a mysterious and magnificent faith this is. The Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, took on flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus became man so that all of us can become children of God, inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven, partakers of His glory.
All of this is beyond our ability to comprehend. It is astonishing that Almighty God became an infant for our salvation. The Word of God went through the whole process of conception and birth for us.
This “good news” was announced to the shepherds. Together with them we are filled with wonder as the heavenly angelic host praises God and sings, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those who enjoy His favor rests” The Gospel passage continues, “the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, in accord with what had been told them”. In one of our Christmas carols we sing: “O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining, this is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.” As with our ancestors, now we are not alone. “God is with us.” Entering into our world, Jesus, the Messiah, affects our every movement, our every action, our every aspiration, in fact our very life and destiny. The Incarnation, God-becoming-man, is not an illusion. It makes sense. “Through Him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through Him. All that came to be had life in Him”.
Christmas is such an obvious opportunity for renewal. This past “Year of Faith” urged us to rediscover and renew our relationships with Christ that was given to us in Baptism. By virtue of our Baptism we are all called to share the “good news” with others, to evangelize, whether it is in our home in the example of prayer and witness we give, or perhaps at work, or in different organizations, both religious and secular. In some ways we are all given situations in which God is calling us to witness our faith.
1025 years ago, our ancestors were enlightened by Christ and His “good news.” This blessed gift they passed on to us. Now, let us pass it on to others. Let us rejoice on this great feast of the Nativity of our Lord and let us be grateful to Jesus for being born for our salvation. Christ is born – let us glorify Him!
We wish all of you a truly grace-filled Christmas and a very blessed and prosperous New Year. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!