CHRIST IS BORN! Dear brothers and sisters! "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will among people" (James 2:14). With these God-inspired words, the holy angels sang and proclaimed to the world the good news of the birth of the Son of God in Bethlehem of Judea. Every year, celebrating the Nativity of Christ, His incarnation from the Holy Spirit and the Most Pure Virgin Mary, we recall that sacred and mysterious event that took place more than 2000 years ago, when "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Honoring this feast, the Church reminds us that God did not leave the world without His love; we must always have strong faith that "God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). The Nativity of Christ is an event that happened in time but has the power of eternity. The Son of God not only drew near to man but identified Himself with him. He Himself became man, laying the foundation for the renewal of the world, the beginning of a new gracious communion with God. The born Lord showed us the goal and meaning of life, for He is our Truth, and the Life and the Way of our salvation (John 14:6). Jesus Christ gave humanity His Faith, Love, Teaching in Glory and Example, showing the Way to Salvation. He gave every person the opportunity to repent, be saved, and freely enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The Lord also created His Church, which the powers of hell cannot overcome and "will never overcome" (Matt. 16:18). And yet, why did the Son of God come to earth? And why do people sing at Christmas: "Oh rejoice, earth, the Son of God is born!"? The Son of God descended to restore the Divine law. The Fall significantly changed human nature. The flesh subordinated the spirit to itself. Material values became higher than spiritual ones. Christ was born to build the Kingdom of God, that is, a spiritual Kingdom where love would reign, not cruelty; peace, not enmity; holiness, not sin. He did not come to build an earthly kingdom. Therefore, at the trial before Pilate, Christ the Savior said: "My Kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). The essence of Christian teaching is to subordinate the flesh to the spirit, and not the other way around. Material values must be subordinate to spiritual ones. However, sinful vices have taken possession not only of the individual but also of humanity as a whole. We see lack of spirituality at every step, daily and everywhere. And this is because people have changed their way of life. Everything spiritual has become secondary for us, and material values are placed at the foundation of life and activity. On these holy days of the Nativity of Christ, let each of us look into our own soul and give a truthful assessment of our life and deeds. If we see that spiritual riches prevail over material ones, then the Son of God was not born in vain. But if everything spiritual is in a neglected state, then such a person once again wishes to crucify Jesus Christ on the Cross. Having entered the third millennium from the Nativity of Christ, aware of the great responsibility for the future fate of our independent Ukrainian State and our native Church, we must all constantly strive for unity, peace, love, and harmony. Let us leave aside personal ambitions, forgive all offenses to one another, love one another as Christ loved us, work for the glory of God for the strengthening of our native Church and the flourishing of our free Fatherland — Ukraine. Let us ask our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us almighty help for good deeds, so that we, as children of God, may be worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven, so that the Ukrainian people may also live in peace and harmony in the new year. Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord! I sincerely greet you with the great feast of the Nativity of Christ and the New Year. I wish everyone good health, God's blessing, and help in your everyday life's cares. I wish that the Lord Jesus Christ may enlighten your mind and heart with the light of His Wisdom and love, so that none of you may ever fall into despair. Let us remember that as long as a person lives on earth, they have hope for salvation, God's mercy, and eternal life. Let us not forget that God is Love, and this love led Him to the Bethlehem cave and to the Cross of Golgotha. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Christ is born! Let us glorify Him! By the grace of God Michael, Bishop of Lutsk and Volyn Nativity of Christ 2004/2005 Lutsk