With paternal exhortation and profound theological depth, Archbishop Ioannis of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania addresses this year’s Christmas Encyclical to the holy clergy and the faithful people, illuminating the central message of the Feast of the Nativity of Christ: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
The Archbishop emphasizes that the Incarnation of the Son and Word of God is not merely a historical event or a mystery to be admired, but “the greatest gift that could ever be given to humanity,” since God “sits beside human suffering” and renews fallen human nature. Referring to Saint Athanasius the Great, he recalls the soteriological dimension of Christmas: “The Son of God became man, so that we might become gods.”
At the same time, the Archbishop calls the faithful to respond existentially to the message of the Feast, stressing that the event of the Nativity “is offered to all, but bears fruit only in those who possess willingness, humility, and good intent.” In a world which, as he notes, “today more than ever needs the light of Christ,” he urges active love, humility, and witness of faith, reminding us that “only when light is shared can it be preserved and increased.”
Read below the Christmas Encyclical:
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14)
To the holy Clergy and the faithful people,
Beloved children in the Lord,
I
These words summarize and express, most deeply and perfectly, the meaning of the Feast of Christmas. If we gather our minds to understand the importance of this great mystery, in which the Son and Word of the Father was incarnate and became man, then we shall be able to participate truly in the celebration and in its spiritual joy, and we shall feel within ourselves the transforming power of experiencing this event.
The Incarnation is not merely a miracle or a mystery worthy of admiration; it is the greatest gift that could ever be given to humanity. The Son and Word of God is incarnate and sits beside human suffering; He touches the distortion of our nature to restore it, revealing to us the depth of His compassion and profound humility, which flow from His infinite love for the entire world. Saint Athanasius the Great expresses this awe-inspiring truth with striking simplicity: “The Son of God became man, so that we might become gods.”
As we continue to prepare for the celebration of Christmas, it helps us to remember that this great Feast does not concern the birth of a teacher, a prophet, or a lawgiver. The eternal God intervenes in history and becomes man, without ceasing to be perfect God, to introduce us into His holiness, to make us partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), and to heal, resurrect, and perfect our fallen and distorted humanity. Through the presence of His divine energy, Christ the God-Man activates, strengthens, and gives life to our human nature and unites us with God—something no teacher, prophet, or lawgiver could ever accomplish.
II
Christmas invites us to join in the call of the angels, so that we too may glorify God together with them:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men” (Luke 2:14).
Yet the announcement of Christ’s Nativity was not revealed in the same way to everyone. To the humble shepherds, an angel appeared, because their hearts were humble and open. To the Magi from the East, who thirsted for truth and sought diligently, a star was given, and again an angel to guide them. But to the proud and cunning rulers, the message brought not joy, but fear, darkness, and rejection, and they sought to destroy the newborn Child.
The event is offered to all, but it bears fruit only in those who possess willingness, humility, and good intent. “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him; but to as many as received Him… He gave the power to become children of God,” writes Saint John (John 1:11–12).
For every person who seeks inner peace, truth, and fullness of life, the joyful and light-filled Feast of Christmas comes as a ray of hope, consolation, and peace. In one of his homilies, Saint John Chrysostom says:
What, then, can be compared to these tidings? God on earth, man in Heaven; and all were united… reconciliation took place between God and our nature… death was abolished, Paradise was opened, the curse was erased, sin was driven away, error was banished, truth returned, the word of piety was sown everywhere and flourished in its growth, the life of Heaven was transferred to earth, or rather, earthly things were united with those in Heaven.
(Homily on Christmas)
III
Beloved brothers and sisters, we are called to proclaim this Gospel with joy and to bear witness with zeal and perseverance that God now dwells among us. “A true witness saves lives,” says the wise Solomon (Proverbs 14:25). It is the duty of every Christian to spread and share this light with the entire world, for only when we share the light with others can it be preserved and increased; otherwise, it will grow weak and eventually be extinguished.
Today, more than ever, the world needs the light of Christ. This is essential, for a life without the presence of God becomes miserable; it turns into a life without love, without joy, without light: a life in darkness. Only His presence can illuminate our hearts and souls and grant light and joy to our lives. He is the light in our darkness, and His teaching, says the psalmist, is “a lamp unto our feet” on the path of this life.
In order to celebrate the Nativity of Christ spiritually, let us strive during these festive days to experience more deeply the holiness and grandeur of this divine gift. We can achieve this by cleansing our hearts of all malice and filling them with love and humility toward all people, especially toward those in need: the poor, the sick, the despairing, and the lonely. The Lord identifies Himself with those who are in need, saying to us:
“I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed Me; naked and you clothed Me; sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me… Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:35–40).
Only if we live in this way will Christmas have true meaning, and everything within us will be illumined by the Word who became flesh.
† Ioannis
Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës,
and All Albania
