The Nativity Message of
Fr. Ephraim Vest

“Risen is the Light of the kingdom, in Ephrata the city of the King. The blessing wherewith Jacob blessed, to its fulfilment came today! That tree likewise, the tree of life, brings hope to mortal men!”  

St. Ephraim the Syrian, Hymns on the Nativity

 

Dearly Beloved of St. Elias Parish,

 

The Word of God, the Son of God—Light from Light, true God of true God—did not abandon His throne in heaven when He became incarnate. Rather, in this season we celebrate the God who is enthroned upon the Cherubim and is now seen by all enthroned in the arms of His Mother. Our God, who before the ages spoke all things into being, is today remembered lying as a newborn child in the hay of a manger. He who is attended by Cherubim and Seraphim is now also gazed upon by the eyes of an ox, a donkey, and the shepherds’ flocks. The invisible and omnipotent Son of God is laid before our eyes as the offering of the Father, drawing all humanity to Himself.

 

Today we are drawn together by the love of God who has become a human being in order to heal human beings. He has become an infant to unite infants to divinity. He has taken on our bodies and our souls so that everything we are might be united to everything He is.

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Christ is born, and humanity is renewed!
Christ is born, and divinity is shared!
Christ is born, and light has entered the darkness!

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I pray that this Nativity season may be a time of healing for each and every one of you. I pray that we may put away all that separates us from one another, just as Christ put away everything that separated us from Himself when He took on our nature and united creation to the heavenly realm. I pray that this may be a season of charity, in imitation of the Father who gave us His only-begotten Son. And most of all, I pray that this holy season fills your hearts, homes, and lives with the hope, joy, and love of our dear Savior.

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From my family to yours,

 

CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!

 

Fr. Ephraim Vest