Christmas Greeting of the General Superior of the Basilian Order of Saint Josaphat

Christ is Born!

Beloved in Christ,

Today we celebrate the feast of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who brings the light of hope to every person. In His Incarnation, God’s love becomes visible to all who recognize in this Child the Savior of the world.

Our holy Father Basil the Great, in his homily on the Nativity of Christ, highlights two important differences between how God revealed Himself to humanity in the Old Testament and how He now reveals Himself in a new way – in the Child of Bethlehem. This newness is shown through God’s revelation in the weakness of a helpless Child, dependent on the care and protection of others. In humility, God takes on human nature in order to be close to every person, revealing His gentleness and love. Saint Basil emphasizes that God deliberately does not appear in a mighty form, so as not to frighten humanity in its weakness. The revelation of the Savior in Bethlehem also marks the beginning of the Lord’s abiding presence in the life of His people.

This new way of God being with humanity becomes an example through which Christ desires to teach us unity with our Creator and unity with one another.

God’s closeness to humanity reminds us of the need to continually experience His presence in our lives, so that we may confidently overcome various obstacles and life’s difficulties. By facing darkness and trials together with God, we become witnesses to His light, which points the way to the Creator and to eternal life.

The closeness of the Son of God to His creation – His dependence on the care and concern of parents and people of good will – reminds us that in our weaknesses and limitations we constantly need unity, mutual support, and cooperation. Together we are called to face life’s challenges and, in this unity, to experience the love of God and of our neighbors.

Today we celebrate the Nativity of Christ while at times feeling powerless and discouraged, as we witness brutal wars taking place close to our homes or bringing destruction into them. Yet this is not only a time of trials and endurance; it is also a time in which we experience the closeness of the Lord, who comes to the aid of the wounded and those in need through the efforts and sacrificial work of many compassionate people. By helping one another, they reveal the strength found in unity and solidarity. A radiant example of this is Jesus Christ Himself, who today becomes closer than ever to humanity by taking on human nature. Through the vulnerability of a Child, He unites all who are willing to sacrifice their time and resources for the needs of others, bringing the light of hope even into the deepest darkness.

I wish that all of us, in unity with the Incarnate Word, may be enlightened by God’s light and become rays of hope for those who live in the darkness of despair. In this way, our solidarity —born of our unity with God – will become a witness of faith and will sow seeds of hope in the hearts of many.

Very Rev. Robert Lisseiko, OSBM

General Superior