Christmas. Again, we open our hearts and listen to the message that speaks to us through the centuries, and yet is still the best news that you may hear: "Fear not, behold, bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be for all people. Today your Savior was born, Christ the Lord in the city of David. This will be a sign: You will find a baby in diapers, lying in a manger. "
Although this event occurred in the distant past, somewhere on the periphery of the world, but our faith may again and relive the night when God's time intersects with our human time and eternal God entered the world as a mortal man. God became one of us to bear his closeness and his love for us. He made it clear in a way that does not compare with anything.
A man who lost his due to his original Paradise home, one stripped of trust in God's friendship, unable to overcome the gears of guilt and fear for their existence, the bumbling life and all of its forces fighting for the faith in goodness, love and mercy, may suddenly look in the eyes of the Child, which came into his life by God. "When we see your Son, who was born to us today, we see you and we are captivated by love for the veil of the invisible God ..." - this expresses the Christmas liturgy.
At Christmas, we all keep in mind the holiday. Even people who do not want God, listen to a Christmas tune in a nice, quiet and idyllic atmosphere. The Christmas Gospel that we are accustomed to hear with such good news is reassuring, but we also considered many disturbing questions.:
Why do we, who, together with the shepherds of Bethlehem want to be approached by a heavenly revelation, to find a baby lying in a manger, for which there was not space under the roof of humans? What is this sign? God in a stable is easy to overlook, a sign of compassion, given to us by the ruler of the universe? How is it that God himself in Jesus came into his own, but his own received him not? What is the reason behind the mystery that although the Incarnation of God has occurred, why is it that our world is like there is no God in the heavens? Why did God issue the mercy of human folly and wickedness? And when we fear for the fate of Christianity in Europe, is it in fact that the world is actually afraid of a God?
The Saviour came into the world, with people going their own ways, unprepared to meet him. The people had for all times expected the coming of the Savior, but did not actually want or accept Him when he came.
Also, we celebrate Christmas in an environment in which the message of Jesus is often accompanied by neglect and indifference. There is plenty of folk creativity surrounding the event of the Incarnation of God, wrapped in tinsel to make His coming a harmless and meatless story. Even today, the coming Saviour is not given space in people's homes or in people's hearts, but they are hopelessly empty and longing for fulfillment. And maybe it's not just some strange and uninformed people before him not answering the door. Maybe with all of the distractions of everyday worries, we've forgotten the marvel at the angelic proclamation in Bethlehem, the night that God came towards men, and therefore came and stayed with us.
Many people, if they ever admit the existence of God, feel that God is a world away, he left because he is unwilling or unable to speak into our lives and our problems.
Christmas is a contrary message that existed once and for all time. Christmas is changing our lives and situations. When the angels said to the shepherds: "Fear not, behold I proclaim to you the great joy that will be for all people" , this is news for all who are bound by fear, insecurity and fear of the future. It is a message to those who are disappointed, who are at the heart of emptiness, with oppressive consciousness that his defeat on the cross was not able to remedy those in the dark alleys of life, even if only unconsciously, yearns to be loved, understood and accepted. The angel declared "Do not be afraid, " which became the refrain of all the great biblical stories, and now wants to reach people in distress, hopelessness and pessimism of our present.
Do not worry! Christ was born for those who are still not known to be his love. God is vulnerable, weak and defenseless as a child of Bethlehem, God is close, notable, solitary, who in his love is interest in all - for each of you. It is light, the light of Christmas, the shining night light in every darkness, a darkness that can not swallow the light. Do not expect dazzling lights that shine on ephemeral celebrities of our time. Christmas is happening in the hearts, where the light shines. My dear, I wish the grace of Christmas time to you in every situation, even in the darkest darkness may you find a light that enlightens every person that came into the world in Jesus Christ.
Slowly ending the year in which I was vouchsafed to thank the Lord for 40 years of priesthood and 60 years of life. I thank all my heart to you for your wishes and prayers. I thank Our Lord for you, for together we form the family of the Church, which He is the center and source of love and joy.
Blessed Christmas and God's protection and favor in the upcoming year and still you and your family!
Your brother,
ThMgr. Dušan Hejbal
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