“Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2) The day of salvation marks the inception of our inner journey. The Apostle Paul calls us to bear witness, to be people of hope who endure “in steadfast perseverance; in afflictions, hardships, and distress.” As we embark on the path to the Nativity, we strive to “open wide our hearts” (2 Cor. 6:13).

The time is opportune for us to begin. Our first task is the transformation of our hearts. When we delve into the lives of the saints, we often marvel at how they found spiritual equilibrium amidst sorrow, mastering themselves and receiving the strength of Christ, “who by faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and obtained promises. They closed the mouths of lions, quenched raging fires, and escaped the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned into strength…” (Heb. 11:33-34) Today, our front-line defenders demonstrate that heroes are not born but are instead forged through daily toil and self-sacrifice, proving their unwavering commitment to our homeland.

As we commence this journey to the Nativity, we invite you to fathom the depths of this mystery. A single child altered the course of human history with His birth. The tapestry of human history is interwoven with the thread of Jesus Christ. We are also capable and called to change our personal stories and big history. When we gather in the Name of Jesus Christ, each one of us can contribute with the gifts bestowed upon us by the Lord, thereby effecting change in the world around us.

The venerable Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, in his address to the faithful on Christmas Day 1942, amidst the tumult of the Second World War, exhorted us to struggle: “Those who, with Christ, have battled the passions that lead to sin within their own hearts, who have tasted the power of Christ in victories over themselves, do not merely believe in Christ’s victory but know it from personal experience… the cause of our sorrow will pass, and the day of joy will dawn.”