Christ is born; Glorify Him! Christ is come from Heaven; Encounter Him!

These simple words bring our minds to what really matters today, Christmas Day. Our preparation is complete. Our fasting is over. Our gifts are wrapped and have been opened. Our homes are filled with family and friends. Our children are suffering from “new toy overload”. Our stomachs are full. Our hearts are warm. Christmas has arrived and our joy is fulfilled because Christ is born!

Tomorrow will be another day…another day of work…another day of chores…another day to praise the Lord. What, praise the Lord you say? The reality is that many will wake tomorrow morning to most of these while forgetting to give praise to God, who’s birth we just began to celebrate. Many will forget that the past several weeks have been about preparing for Christmas and now is the time for celebration.

In the Orthodox Church we celebrate Christmas for twelve days not just one day. We begin our celebration with Christmas, not end it. Why not make this year the year you make a change and spend the rest of your days praising God rather than worrying about where our next toy. Take this year’s Christmas as a chance to reorient your life toward Jesus Christ and Encounter Him! Begin a relationship with Him. Get to know Him. Read His Word. Attend Divine Liturgy in an Orthodox Church regularly. Live a new life in communion with the Creator of the Universe.

Christ is born; Glorify Him! Christ is come from Heaven; Encounter Him!