Nativity Message of His Grace, Bishop Benjamin

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18)

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD 2011

TO THE REVEREND CLERGY AND FAITHFUL OF THE DIOCESE OF THE WEST

Dearly beloved,

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

The words quoted above from the Gospel of Saint Matthew come immediately after we read the long list of the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ. These words teach us two very important lessons about the birth of the Lord. The first lesson is about the virginity of His mother, Mary. She was found to be with child "before they came together." This fact is vital because she fulfills the prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the coming of the Messiah. It is vital because this young virgin was the culmination of all of creation preparing for this Coming.

The second lesson is that she was "with child of the Holy Spirit." This miraculous intervention by God Himself is the Gift of Christmas. God does not abandon us in our sin. All of creation for all of history is unfaithful to its Creator. All of creation chose sin and death instead of virtue and life. Yet God does not blot us out forever. He sends His Son to become everything that we are so that we might still become what He is! What a loving and generous Gift.

But we must still respond. "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows…" is not only a statement; it is also a question to each and every one of us. How is Jesus Christ born in us? Have we prepared the dark cave of our souls and bodies with the purity of the Virgin? Have we asked the Holy Spirit to make alive in us the little Child sent from God Himself? Or have we been swept up in the cares and concerns of this time in our society? The answers to these questions determine what the real celebration of this Day will be in our lives.

Join me in preparing to receive the greatest Gift ever! May the Light of this day shine brightly every day in your lives!

Yours in the new-born Child,

+Benjamin
Bishop of San Francisco

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