Archbishop of Vinnitsa and Barsky Barsanuphius
For Orthodox Christians the Nativity is illuminated by an inexhaustible love of God to Man, said the Archbishop Varsonofy.
The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ is a celebration of faith, hope, and insight, the first step to Easter, because God has broken the line that separated sinful humanity from eternal life, conveyed the words of the Archbishop of Vinnitsa and Barsky Barsonophios the website of the Cathedral of the UOC.
“Good and evil, light and darkness are fighting in our world forever, every second, every moment. The birth of Christ gives people hope that the evil and darkness is not omnipotent, and the belief that good and light to win. But the celebration is not only about that. The birth of Christ symbolizes the insight of people who have the light of truth. This is the universal meaning of Christmas,” reminded Bishop Varsonofy.
He stressed that the essence of Christmas joy not in the gifts, lights and holiday Commerce, but the fact that God has made a step forward and became a Man to connect us with Him.
Archbishop Barsanuphius explained that this does not negate the good tradition of giving gifts to others and delight them with good deeds, because earthly pleasures remind the person about the joy and jubilation in the Kingdom of heaven.
“Christmas — is the first step to Easter. From that day began the earthly life of the God-man, which ends with the reconciliation with God of all mankind, and therefore all of us. The joy of receiving a gift is like a reminder of the eternal joy that we will have in the Kingdom of heaven,” added Bishop.
He said that to prepare for the radiant joy of the feast of the Nativity of the faithful help the days of fasting, when not to lose heart, to gossip and to be anxious, to smoke, use drugs and alcoholic beverages, it is also advisable to refrain from sexual intimacy.
“At the behest of our believing heart will bring thanksgiving and praise to God and with festive singing praise of the great event, this great celebration is fitting for us to celebrate not just one day but a lifetime. Every day and hour, let it be filled with this joyous anthem of God’s Love for man, especially in light holiday of Christmas! Do not give space in our hearts to fear and despondency, hostility and hatred, despair and unbelief in the power of God. Fill it to the end and we rejoice for the Newborn God-child, an introduction to the joy of those who knew her, carrying the near and far light of the Gospel message,” he called to the flock of the ruling Bishop of the diocese of Vinnytsia.
About the necessity of righteous living to the fullness of Christmas joy said, and the Primate of the UOC his Beatitude Metropolitan of Kyiv and all Ukraine Onufry in the tenth edition of “the Word of the Primate”.