Glory to God in the
Highest
by Fr. Mathews Poozhikole
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men ."
St. Luke 2:14.
The angels from heaven came down to earth praising God by singing as above before the
shepherds in Bethlehem on the birth of Jesus in a manger. As we believe the holy ever
virgin Mary delivered the holy child Jesus, a miraculous birth which is unique in the history of mankind.
The incarnation of Jesus was to redeem the sins of Adam & Eve and the future
generations. The sins of mankind have been washed away by the Lord Jesus Christ as we read in 1 John 3:5 "And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him is no sin ". The wayward generations are saved by the birth of Jesus Christ. "I am the vine and you are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing" St. John 15:5.
About the birth of Jesus Christ some people believe that the real birth day of Jesus is not known. This is because of a total ignorance of The Holy Bible. Every year we celebrate
the Feast of Annunciation of Arch Angel Gabriel to the Holy Virgin Mary on March 25. Even if this day falls on a Good Friday we celebrate the Feast of Annunciation before we start the Good Friday Service. Virgin Mary gave birth on completion of nine months after the Angel Gabriel's annunciation i.e. on 25th December.
On Christmas day we make bonfire followed by procession around the Church to celebrate and to herald the truth that the God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29).
The most important responsibility of a Christian is to observe the following words of
St. Paul the Apostle, "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man,
which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true
holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24.
I wish once again very a prosperous New Year with holy responsibility and blessings and to be the witness of Jesus Christ. "Ye are my witnesses" St. Luke 24:48.
May God bless you all.
