The Blessed Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ

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My Beloved Coptic Brethren,

I would like to wish each family, particularly those families in our endearing Coptic homeland of Egypt, a blessed and Holy Feast of the Nativity. With political uncertainty abroad and rumors of continuous wars, it brings into perspective the Holy birth of the Only Begotten Son of God. As a "sheep in the midstof wolves" (Matthew 10:16), our Lord Jesus Christ was predestined from His Holy birth to persecution.

The Feast of the Holy Nativity heralds both charity born to suffering and rejoicing of an Incarnated birth illuminating the pathway to sainthood.

Charity through Suffering
Biblical writers before and after the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ agree that persecution from conception to death was His fate on earth. His Holy and Divine mission would be to share the charity of the Word of God.

From within the Biblical era of the Old Testament 745-680 BC, the great prophet Isaiah from the tribe of Judah prophesied about the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ...

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder" (Isaiah 9:6).

Isaiah, the prophet, had foreknowledge of the coming of the Messiah. He taught us through this verse that a "Child is born" is our Lord Jesus Christ assuming human nature and "a Son is given" unites His two (of three) natures in One person. "The government upon His shoulder" implies His constant state of persecution beginning at His Holy birth.

St. John the Beloved of our Lord Jesus Christ wrote...

"Now a great sign appeared in Heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth...And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her child as soon as it was born" (Revelation 12:1-2,4).

Hippolytus (c. 200) explains "the tribulation of persecution is to fall upon the Church from the adversary...And the passage 'Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth' means that the church will not cease to bear from her heart the Word that is persecuted by the unbelievers in the world."

At birth, our Lord Jesus Christ was as "harmless as a dove". As an infant, He carried no weapon nor throw a single stone. Instead He was weak and defenseless and could not utter a single torment to anyone. Not a single law protected His right of survival; in fact decrees were issued to ensure this Holy Innocent Infant's death.

Justice is the reconciliation of persecution of both the ancient and modern times. It is not of human inclination but belongs to God.

"Civil law is one thing, which varies everywhere according to customs. However, justice is another thing—which God has set forth uniformly and simply for all" (Lactantius c. 304-313).

In the Holy Book of Wisdom of Solomon (6:5-7) it is declared for those who do not judge with justice,

"He shall come upon you terribly and quickly, because severe judgment falls on those who govern. For the least is pardoned in mercy, but the powerful shall be strongly examined. For the Master of all will not shrink back from anyone's presence, nor respect greatness; because He Himself made both small and great, and cares for all alike" (Wisdom of Solomon 6:5-7, OSB).

If justice is demonstrated so will charity be. When there is no justice, charity will be sparse among those who govern and suffering will be paramount.

Rejoicing through Sainthood
Prophesying, Isaiah speaks about the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and His honor...

"'And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious.'" (Isaiah 11:10).

Many early church fathers believe "His resting place shall be glorious" means that He rests among His saints. Saints are historically known to rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ. How can they rejoice and yet face opposition each day? Difficult, at best, is it to remain honorable and day after day not want to bring about harm to those who seek to harm you.

Many saints defeated their opposition without the use of weapons. In the Old Testament, Gideon's three hundred men defeated the vast army of Midianites without the use of weapons (Judges 7:9-25). The twelve apostles spread the Holy Gospel without one single weapon drawn even in defense of themselves or their Holy Gospel teachings. Neither did the twelve followers of our Lord Jesus Christ throw a single stone.

Honor does not signify that defeating a foe without weapons does not bring about distress. The Lord Jesus Christ speaks about His Holy Birth, its persecution and death to come...

"But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!" (Luke 12:50).

While we honor the Holy birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, it must be encapsulated with the commemorating of the sainthood it brought forth and rejoiced in it as Christians from among all ages have:

"Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them" (Acts 19:11-12).

"Accordingly, we afterwards took up Polycarp's bones, as being more precious than the most exquisite jewels, and more purified than gold. We deposited them in a fitting place, where, being gathered together an opportunity is allowed us with joy and rejoicing, the Lord will permit us to celebrate the anniversary of his martyrdom" (Martyrdom of Polycarp c. 135).

At this time of the Feast of the Holy Nativity let us not forget all our Coptic brothers and sisters who have given their last breath and impaired their emotional and physical health for the sake of the One whose Holy birth we are celebrating. Let us not only honor them but pay tribute to the sacrifices in which their families have made. These tributes should underscore encouragement and respect for their loss of the ones they will continue to love and we will continue to honor and rejoice in their sainthood.

As the Coptic Church joyfully celebrates the Feast of the Holy Nativity let us pray for all those suffering persecution. May we, through their persecution, comprehend more fully the Birth of the Prince of Peace, which teaches us charity and understanding of a greater level of sainthood.

"The most joyful festival of all, however, has been celebrated by those perfect martyrs who have sat down in the feast in Heaven" (Dionysius of Alexandria c. 262).

Bishop Youssef
Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States