I felicitate you all with the New Year and the Nativity which the Eastern Christians celebrate today, pleading for God to grant Egypt and the world goodness and peace, and protect the humankind from the pandemic.
Contemplating the Nativity, we will find humility to be a feature of that unique event; Lord Christ was born of a humble virgin, lowly in heart, who had served the temple submissively and whole-heartedly, and when the fullness of time came, she was told that she would conceive and bear a son without man’s seed, she declared full submission to the will of God, saying modestly: “Behold the maidservant of the Lord”
Her submission and modesty bore witness for her being worthy to become the mother of Lord Christ.
In Bethlehem, in a humble manger inhabited by animals and never saw a man’s birth, Lord Christ was born; it has become the place that bore witness to an unrepeatable birth in humankind history. Humble shepherds who were watching over their herds were the first people to know about the Nativity, they deserved to see the angels and listen to the declaration of Nativity: “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”
Thus, the Nativity bore a message of humility to people; it elevates man and grants him peace and joy.
Happy many returns to all of you
The General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
