Christmas Message -2001

By Bishop Yuhanon Mor Meletius, Indian Orthodox Church, Thrissur, India

Merry Christmas.

Once Again Christmas is here. The Shepherds said, "Let us go over to Bethlehem" (Lk. 2:15).

The world has become a very difficult place for all of us to live in. Terrorism has become a threat to peaceful living. Economic crisis, breaking of relationships, lack of sincerity and dedication is areas of service, disintegration of communities, terminal and painful diseases etc. are also reasons for our worry. We ask God "why God, why?".

The answer is, "why don't you go over to Bethlehem?" Go to Bethlehem and see "this thing that has happened". Most of the time we sit at home and want good things to happen. Good thing has already happened to us in Jesus.

But we have not gone over to it. Let us at this Christmas season dedicate ourselves once again to seek every thing that is good in this world. Let us seek the newborn baby Jesus. For in him "the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned" (Matt. 4:16). Let us all walk in his light.

Wish you all, your families and dear ones a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year filled with fulfillment of the promises of God.