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