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Christ is here!

Canadian Orthodox Messenger

Christ is here!

By Anastasia Bartlett

Christ is here!

The twinkling lights speak of His presence. His birth returns light to the world as He illuminates every shadow of darkness in the world and within us.

Christ is here!

The evergreen speaks of eternal life, the candy canes display red and white stripes of blood and purity.

Christ is here!

The feast of favourite foods and drink is as dust in the mouth without the bread of life, the wine of gladness and the water of eternal joy.

Christ is here!

Skilfully wrapped gifts, bought or homemade, treasured or discarded hearken to the gift of

eternal life, wrapped in swaddling clothes; the pathway back to God.

Christ is here!

We serve at the soup kitchen, donate to those in need, as He sets prisoners free, gives sight to the blind, fills the hungry with good things, and seats the outcast at the banquet table.

Christ is here!

We rejoice in His presence with songs of praise, while the heavens reverberate with the thunderous roar of jubilation sung by angels as all of creation greets its Saviour.

Christ is here!

He is a child, nurtured by His parents, treated tenderly, lovingly, carefully. They listened to Him, taught Him and let Him go to be the one He was intended to be.

Christ is here!

Eden is restored. Adam and Eve rejoice to see His birth. All creation sings His praises forever!

Christ is here!

Under the piles of discarded wrapping paper, empty boxes, broken promises, and dirty dishes is the One around whom all of creation revolves. He is our centre. He is all that matters.

Christ is here!

He is the refugee, fleeing from Herod. He is the asylum seeker seeking hope in Egypt. He is the homeless, with no place to lay His head. He is persecuted, hungry, tortured, and imprisoned. He is us, as we help those in need.

Christ is here!

In our friends, our neighbours, our family, in the believer and non-believer alike.

Christ is here!

Let us open our eyes and pray we may see. 

Christ is here!

In death when He welcomes us with open arms.

Christ is here! 

He is the ever-present one. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Christ is here!

Now and forever, unto ages of ages, Amen. Let us rejoice in Him always!

Christ is here!