O lux beatissima, Reple cordis intima Tuorum fidelium
As we have begun to enter this joyous season of Christmas let us all take a moment to reflect on what this message means for us. Tonight churches around the world are celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus The Christ. If you were to attend one of these services you would hear the story of his birth, the birth of Light into our world.
When Jesus was born of the blessed Ever-Virgin Mary, he had a radiant glow about him. He was the coming of light that warms our hearts, our spirits, and our minds. That is the light that we need to focus on this Christmas season. That light is what unites all faiths of the world. We are united through his words and his deeds.
Although not all religions accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior they understand the power and message that he brought and continues to bring. Jesus The Christ is a message of God’s unconditional love for us, His children. Jesus The Christ is the symbol of charity and compassion that all are asked to express to our fellow brothers and sisters. Jesus The Christ is a pillar of mercy, it is through his actions that are lessons for us on not only how to love God but how to love and forgive one another.
I understand the wants and worries of all this Christmas season. The families of not only the United States, but also the world, struggle to make a living. We are reminded of our hospitality when we see the homeless on the streets who were perhaps our neighbors just last month. Parents who are digging in dumpsters looking for food for not only themselves but also for the children who are in their charge. The worse part of all is the children who don’t fully understand why they no longer have a home, food, or toys.
In American culture we have gone out of our way to really push Santa Claus as the star of Christmas. Those same children who now suffer without this year are now faced with a cold reality that Santa doesn’t exist or worse yet that they aren’t loved because they are homeless. This recklessness took years and even generations to create and therefore sadly it will be not be easily fixed by the wave of a bishops hand bestowing his blessing. It is not fixed by writing words on websites or newspapers. It will not be fixed by simply attending service or mass. There is only one way that we can begin to correct these issues and that is through allowing the warmth and light of that newborn child into our hearts. It is at that moment that we understand the message that Jesus The Christ came to share with all.
There is a saying that I began this message tonight with “O lux beatissima, Reple cordis intima Tuorum fidelium”. For those who do not read or speak Latin it translates to “O most blessed light, fill the hearts of your faithful”. We are all the faithful of God. Just because we don’t happen to share in using the same name for Him doesn’t make us less faithful than another group. That light that is spoken of is referring to the radiant light that The Christ gives to each of us. That radiant light is peace, hope, joy, and love, all the messages of our Advent season rolled into one beautiful bundle that was given to the charge of the Ever-Virgin Mary and Joseph a simple carpenter.
When we incorporate those four words into our lives we accept that light and then it shines for all to see. We become Christ-like as we share His message for all. We begin to understand how we should love others and by doing so we are honoring God. Mary and Joseph were Christ-like in the ways of their giving to others in need. They understood the message that their child came to deliver and showed the true power of God by assisting in its spreading. Their acts were of charity. Their lives were devoted to serve others. Their hearts were open to knowing true love for all.
This Christmas season as we all hurt and suffer, let us still take a moment to remember why we must love. Let us have that Most blessed Light fill not only our hearts but also our souls, and our minds. Let us become for the New Year a new person whose heart is filled with light. Let us also remember that all are faithful no matter what their beliefs.
May my prayer and wish for you be one of peace, hope, joy, and love, and you to remind me when my light may not shine as bright as it should.
Yours in Faith,
Isaac
Patriarch (Metropolitan Archbishop) of The Reformed Gnostic Church
Archbishop of Church of The Holy Mother
(view the original at http://reformedgnostic.org/christmasmessage2010.pdf)
