His Holiness Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil gave a televised address for the Nativity of Christ:
Christ is born! Let us glorify Him!
Beloved brothers and sisters in the Nativity of the God-Child,
With reverence and awe, we stand before the great mystery of the Son of God’s Incarnation. “Today a wonderful and glorious mystery is being fulfilled: nature is renewed, and God becomes man” (December 26, Solemn, ch. 8).
The invisible God takes on human form. The Infinite One is wrapped in swaddling clothes. He whose throne is heaven lies in a manger. The sinless One clothes Himself in human nature, marred by sin, to sanctify and restore it to its paradisiacal purity.
God came and found us—lost in unbelief and vanity, despair, weakness, enmity, destruction! God became man and healed humanity. He showed us who we are—Christ’s people, God’s children, heavenly beings! He also showed us the sole path to Him: the path of humble, sincere, and sacrificial love: “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34).
Christ is essential for mankind. Christ is the meaning of our lives. Christ is the ultimate criterion. Christ is the hope for the hopeless, a guide for the lost, light in darkness, comfort for the inconsolable, justice for the wronged, unity for the divided, and the only saving future for humanity. Christ is our closest Brother, closer than all our relatives. Christ is closer to our hearts than we are to ourselves (St. Nicholas of Cavassila). From His proximity and condescension, He calls us: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matt. 11:28, 29).
In these days of anxiety, uncertainty, enmity, wars, and disunity, let us strive to see Christ’s image in the faces of our brothers and sisters, because Christ God is with us! Let us love them with Christ’s love, as He gave us such an example. Let us forgive them, as Christ forgives our countless transgressions. Let us show mercy, as He shows infinite generosity towards us. Let us acquire the peaceful spirit of Christ for our salvation and thus help save many!
May the Lord bless the New Year 2026 of His Birth in the flesh with His goodness, giving reconciliation to the warring, healing to the suffering, goodwill among men! By the example and prayers of the saints celebrated daily, may the Lord keep our minds and hearts directed to Him, granting His blessing in all we do! Let us be bearers, witnesses, and spreaders of Christ’s peace!
Wishing a peaceful, healthy, and saving New Year 2026!
To many and blessed years!
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