Notes from Bishop THOMAS
The Miracle Of Bethlehem
By Metropolitan PHILIP Word Magazine December 1968

It is easy to lose sight of the miracle of Bethlehem in our modern world of pressure politics and commercial Christmas. This annual reminder of the continuous presence of the Divine in our wayward world is a necessary thing for us all; nothing is more usual, nothing is more miraculous than the birth of a child: every child’s birthday is a reminder of the presence of God in the world.

The atheist forces of the world try to tell us that God does not exist, that there is no connection between man and the eternal cosmos, the eternal mystery; they tell us that we are slaves of the world and of the material forces of existence. And yet, our experience tells us that GOD IS: too many aspects of our life clearly reflect the presence of the divine, the presence of God, among us. The birth of a child tells us this truth; the birth of the Divine Child sums up the common experience of all mankind.

The present troubles of our world seem overwhelming; the sorrow, the injustice, the poverty, the wickedness of war, the inhumanity of man to man, the distortion of the divine image which we cause, is everywhere; we have lost sight of God, and we suffer; the renewal that comes with the birth of our Lord can restore us, if we perceive it with the eyes of faith, and the simplicity of a child.
The blessing of our incarnate Lord be with you all, this Feast of his Nativity, and throughout the coming year!

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Troparion of St Ignatius the Godbearer Tone 3
Soaring with love for Him Who holds thee in His hands, thou wast shown to be a God-bearer, O Ignatius. Thou didst finish thy course in the West and pitch thy dwelling in the unwaning day of the heavens. O righteous Father, entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

Kontakion of St Ignatius the Godbearer Tone 3
The day of thy glorious struggles heralds the One to be born of a Virgin for, thirsting for His presence, thou didst hasten to be devoured by wild beasts. Therefore thou wast named Godbearer, O glorious Ignatius.

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