His Holiness Pope Shenouda III’s Message on the Nativity to the Lands of Immigration
Main Idea of the Message
The message focuses on the deep spiritual meaning of Christ’s Nativity and the importance of making this feast a new beginning for a deeper relationship with God, caring for one’s salvation, preserving family spirituality, staying connected to the Mother Church, and praying for the peace of the world.
First: The Nativity of Christ and the Meaning of Salvation
- His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the Nativity is the beginning of the story of salvation and the redemption of humanity.
- The Nativity is the introduction to the divine love in which Christ offered Himself for humankind.
- Believers are called to focus on the salvation of the soul and on eternity, not on worldly celebrations.
Second: The True Spirituality of the Feast
- He affirms that the Church’s feasts are not for amusement but for spiritual joy in God’s visitation to humanity.
- True joy is found in God’s incarnate love and in returning this love with sincere human love.
Third: A New Beginning with God
- His Holiness encourages making the new year a beginning for a renewed and deeper relationship with the Lord Jesus.
- He calls for a life of holiness and perfection according to Christ’s command: “Be perfect… Be holy.”
- He reminds parents of their spiritual responsibility toward their children, teaching them God’s way from early childhood.
Fourth: Connection with the Mother Church
- He reminds the children of immigration of the love and continuous care of the Mother Church.
- He asks them to keep Egypt in their hearts, as it is the land visited by the Lord Jesus in His childhood.
Fifth: Prayer for the World
- He asks for prayers for the peace of the world, especially the Middle East, and that God may grant purity of heart and depth in worship.
- Salvation
- Love
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