CHRISTMAS MESSAGE OF BISHOP MESROP PARSAMYAN

Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America

 Prince of Peace

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and authority will rest upon his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (ISAIAH 9:6)

Peace is one of the great themes of Christmas: the beautiful idea that flows through the story of Christ’s Nativity, and warms our hearts at this time of year. It was the message that the angels announced over the fields outside of Bethlehem, more than two thousand years ago: “Glory to God in the highest Heaven; and on Earth, Peace to those on whom His favor rests” (Lk 2:14).

Peace, of course, is something we all long for. We pray for peace among nations—for an end to hatred and conflict, and to the human waste of war. Likewise, we pray for inner peace: for the tranquil spirit that will allow us to meet the trials of life with calm and grace.

But my friends, the Peace of the Gospel—the Peace of Christ’s birth—goes even deeper than this. Because it means, first and foremost, being at peace with God. It means devoting your soul to the Lord, and loving Him with your entire heart. It means having trust in God’s plans for you— even when you cannot understand them. It means being obedient to God’s call: to say with complete sincerity, “Thy will be done, O Lord.”

The angels sang, and God rejoiced, in the establishment of that deep and wonderful Peace, through the birth of our Savior, the Son of God: Jesus Christ.

And what about those other kinds of Peace? What about peace between nations? The inner peace of the spirit? These, too, are treasures that our Heavenly Father truly wants us to have. But we cannot have them without first entering into peace with God.

To do that, we must admit, and accept, that as broken human beings we need His salvation. And we must recognize, and rejoice, that God’s love for us is so great, that He took upon Himself our human limitations, our pain and sorrow—the He submitted to Death itself—in order to draw us closer, and grant us Eternal Life.

God’s incarnation as Jesus Christ—His birth as that fragile child in Bethlehem—is our one and only pathway to this great gift. Christ came into the world to establish peace. But we cannot have peace unless we first embrace Him as our Lord and Savior.

So I implore you, my friends: Make this Christmas a time to renew your relationship with Jesus Christ. Throughout the Advent season, read the Scriptures; meditate in prayer; join the church in its holy practices of fasting and worship. Spend the precious holiday time with your loved ones—and reach out to those in need.

And on the great day of Christmas, uniquely celebrated by our church on January 6, join your fellow faithful in worship to proclaim the Good News of Christ’s birth, and receive the sacrament of Holy Communion. In these unsettling times for so many people, let us open our hearts to the Prince of Peace.

Christ is born and revealed—blessed is His revelation.

Krisdos dzunav yev haydnetsav. Ohrnyal eh haydnoutiunun Krisdosi.

Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan

Primate

 January 2024