This year in his Christmas message, His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, stressed that the Nativity of the Lord is the celebration of „gifts offered to children, the elderly, orphans, the sick and lonely, but also to all our dear ones”.
2018 Nativity message of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania
The Feast of the Nativity of the Lord or Christmas is first the celebration of God’s merciful love for humans. God’s eternal Son descended from Heavens, became incarnate of the Holy Spirit and Virgin Mary, and became a Man to grant eternal life to mortals.
This solemnity is, at the same time, the celebration of peace and harmony among humans. When the Child Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the angels in heaven sang glory in the highest to God, peace on earth and goodwill among men.
The Nativity of the Lord is also the feast of gifts offered to children, the elderly, orphans, the sick and lonely, but also to all our dear ones.
This feast of gifts is our response to the gift of God’s love shown in Jesus Christ.
On the feast of the Nativity of the Lord, the New Year 2019, and the Theophany of the Lord, we wish you all good health and salvation, peace and joy for many and blessed years.
† Patriarch Daniel
