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Bishop Mouneer's Advent Reflection
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, In the last few days as I reflected on the Christmas story, I felt that the best thing we could all do this Christmas is to live the Christmas story. But how can we do this?
The Christmas story is a love story. God so loved us that he humbled himself and became incarnate to be like us, to carry our sins and to redeem us. I pray that our lives would be an incarnation of God's love to the people around us and to God himself.
The Christmas story is about obedience. The Virgin Mary, though it was so difficult for her to comprehend, accepted the fact that she would be pregnant. For a Middle Eastern girl who is not married, that was a great shame. But she said, "I am the Lord's servant, may it be as you have said" (Luke 1:38). Mary was so obedient to God. Joseph too, knowing about Mary's pregnancy, was supposed to break their engagement. But, he obeyed the message from God and cared for her faithfully. In order to live the Christmas story we need to live this obedience in all circumstances.
The Christmas story is about giving glory to God. The shepherds, after receiving the announcement of the birth of Jesus by the angels, and after going there and meeting the newborn baby, returned glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen. In order to live the Christmas story, may everything we do and everything we say bring glory to God!
The Christmas story is about Jesus! Sometimes we forget this. Jesus overflowed with love towards all those who surrounded him. He was obedient to God the Father, even up to death. Finally, he glorified the father through this love and obedience. May we follow closely in his steps and fix our eyes on him until we become like him.
May the Lord give you a very blessed Christmas and strengthen you to live the Christmas story today!
Yours in Christ,
+ Mouneer Egypt
The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer H. Anis Bishop of the Episcopal/Anglican Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa President Bishop of the Episcopal/Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East
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The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis
Pentecost 2010My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, at Pentecost, the Church received the Holy Spirit. This was in fulfilment of Jesus' promise to his disciples "wait until you receive power from on high" Acts 1:8. With receiving the Holy Spirit the disciples received a power to share the Good News within Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the rest of the world. The Holy Spirit still empowers the church today to advance Christ's mission. Jesus Christ and his disciples showed us how we can share the Good News with the people around us. My Name is Today...
Today I need to eat, today I need to play, today I need care, today I need love. Give me hope today for a brighter tomorrow. ______________________________
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