Patriarch Daniel of Romania presided over the Divine Liturgy on Wednesday, the Feast of the Nativity, at the Patriarchal Cathedral. He explained that “through His coming into the world, Jesus sanctifies the world as a gift from God to humanity.”
His Beatitude referred to the humble obedience of the Savior to God the Father, emphasizing that God, in all His glory, willingly chose to humble Himself to elevate humanity.
According to Patriarch Daniel, this feast “shows us that God, full of glory, willingly humbled Himself, becoming human, and ordained His birth not in a palace, but in a poor shelter, in a cave used as a stable for cattle and sheep.”
What Is the Purpose of His Coming?
His Beatitude also explained that through His humility, Christ reveals the ultimate purpose of His incarnation: the salvation of humanity. Through His perfect obedience, even unto death on the cross, Christ restores the communion between humanity and God.
“This humility shows us the purpose of His coming to Earth. He humbled Himself to elevate humanity, raising people through humble obedience to God.”
“Jesus Christ, the Eternal One, became man and was obedient to God unto death—even death on a cross. Therefore, God exalted Him through His Resurrection and Ascension into glory and gave Him a name above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth (Philippians 2:10).”
What Can We Offer the Infant Jesus Today?
Patriarch Daniel explained the significance of the gifts brought by the Magi to the Infant Jesus.
As His Beatitude explained, gold was offered as a sign of Jesus’ kingship, frankincense was brought because He is God, and myrrh symbolized the incorruptibility of the One born in the manger in Bethlehem.
“We may not be able to offer gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but what can we offer to the Infant Jesus in our homes and activities?” His Beatitude asked.
“Instead of gold, we offer the true, Orthodox faith. This is the gold of Orthodox Christians—pure faith, as pure as gold. We offer many prayers, symbolized by frankincense. And instead of myrrh, we offer a pure, holy life, filled with acts of love and charity, preparing our souls for salvation.”
Photo Credit: Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene
