Here is the Christmas message of Archbishop Makarios of Australia:
Honorable Brothers, co-bishops and my dear children,
It is a fact that a pervasive insecurity and phobia prevails throughout the world, which spreads like a cloud of dust, causing a disturbing shortness of breath in humanity. Many try to deal with this unpleasant situation by accumulating material goods and wealth.
Others believe that their relationship with the powerful of this world will save them from the shortness of breath. Others resort to spiritual vaccinations with vain ideas and philosophies or even with religious teachings, which, as untrue, instead of healing, poison and spiritually torture man.
The incarnation of the Son and Word of God is the antidote to the virus of sorrow and fear. The birth of Jesus Christ is a source of true joy for the universe, a source of hope and strength for all who experience the deepest spiritual dimension of this great Despotic feast of our Church. Today “all things are filled with joy”, because “Christ was born from the Virgin”. If we truly come to love Christ, if Christ becomes the great desire of our lives, then we are not afraid not only of disease and pandemic, but also of death itself. We are not afraid of death, because we know that Christ became human so that he may give us the possibility to become Gods; to live eternally and to dwell in His Kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven.
My beloved brothers and sisters, close your eyes for a moment, as we close our eyes when we pray, when we cry, when we dream and when we love. Close your eyes, because we do not see the most beautiful things in life but we feel them. Close your eyes and give me your hand so that we may all travel together to distant Bethlehem and there we will all kneel together, like a big family, in front of the manger of the born Jesus Christ. To kneel, not to ask for things for ourselves nor for material goods or for a cure of diseases and pandemics but let us ask Jesus Christ for one thing only: Let His will be done in our lives and not ours. And, at the same time, together with the angels to sing: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men”.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Sydney, December 25, 2020
Your Archbishop
† Makarios of Australia
