Councilor of St. Hovhannes the Baptist Church Reverend Babken Hayrapetyan's advice before Christmas.
If we give room, the Lord will dwell in us
"Months and years pass, but it is necessary for us to change, to try to become new people. Christmas conveys the idea of constant renewal. The Nativity of the Lord is the greatest source for us to be renewed, for the new man to come instead of the old man, to try to be like our Lord, because God has placed that likeness in us from the beginning. The Lord came and dwelt among us, this is where the restoration begins. If we give room, the Lord will dwell in us, but if we are filled with only worldly, temporary desires and thoughts, we cannot find room. We have to empty it all."
We must choose life or death
"We are always in turmoil, how much we have betrayed ourselves in difficult moments, during various blows, losses, but an invisible hand always helps us to move forward. It helps us to forget about difficulties, despair, to be able to overcome hatred, to follow the path of love. We are faced with a choice. We must choose life or death. We have to overcome difficulties, enter through a narrow door, give ourselves tribulation in order to deserve light, sweetness. God became man so that man could become God, become God's son. The Lord is waiting for His sons to return to eternity. Christmas is also a celebration of hope."
Let us fulfill the Lord's greatest commandment: to love
"Let's enter the new year smoothly. Let us fulfill the Lord's greatest commandment: to love one another. Let's welcome the New Year with that love. Christmas was God's love for His creation. He sent His Son to bring people to salvation. With the Lord's birth, the human soul was enlightened, because He lived among us, gave the true light, showed the path of salvation. With his sacrifice, he opened the doors of the Kingdom of Heaven so that we too can live in eternal joy."
Source: Qahana.am
