When the  Lord Jesus was born of the Virgin, the whole creation lit up. Behold, shepherds keep watch, the Magi adore, angels sing hymns of praise and Herod  trembles, for the Savior of our souls has appeared in the flesh

Dearest Brothers and Sisters,

Christ IS Born! Glorify Him!
Христос Раждається! – Славіте Його! – Ukrainian
Kristus De Je Rodil! – Slavite Ga! – Slovenian
Christos Gennatai! – Doxasate! – Greek
وُلِد المسـيحُ، فَمَـجِّدُوه – Arabic  

As we celebrate again the Birth of Our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, we are filled with gratitude for the gift of life. By His incarnation in the Person of Jesus, God revealed that it is His life-force that clearly animates all living things – gives us existence.

By His birth as a human person, God has revealed that humans are made in His image and have the   potential to become unto His likeness. The great Eastern Father of the Church Athanasius, clearly drawing upon the words of Peter, stated his belief in literal deification saying “The Word was made flesh in order that we might be made gods. Just as the Lord, putting on the body, became a man, so also we humans are both deified through his flesh, and henceforth inherit everlasting life.” The phrase that our Church proclaims with Athanasius are God became man so that man might become God.

This belief gives us reason to rejoice again when we proclaim Christ IS Born since it speaks not only of God’s great love for us but also provides us with the hope that can sustain us on life’s journey. I would share again with you, my believed family and friends in Christ, this belief as a way of encouraging you to place your hope and trust in God, the giver and sustainer of life.

We have been called to share life’s journey. May we sustain and support each other in the belief that God IS With Us and Within Us as a way to express our love for one another. Please know that I, given the gift of the priesthood, offer my prayers for each and everyone of you.

With all my love, Father Wayne