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From: Antonious Markos
Coptic Orthodox Bishop of African Affairs
To: All Our Beloved Protopriests, Priests, Deacons, Church Servants,
Members of our Congregations in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe,
Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo,
Tanzania and Togo
While we are rejoicing in receiving the lights of the birth of our
Lord Jesus Christ, we hear the heavenly voices of the angels saying:
"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward
men!" (Luke 2:14)
Glory to God in the highest after generations of waiting and
promises to be fulfilled, humankind is giving all glory to God
because the fullness of time has come
- Messiah, Saviour, Redeemer, Emmanuel (“God is with us”) has come
- The greatest miracle ever known in mankind’s history has happened
- The humble, sacrificial Lamb of God, son of the Virgin is born to
be a living example and role model to follow, preparing for us
eternal life to observe His glory
Peace on earth
- The King of Peace has taken on our shape to grant us the peace
from above, which the world can neither give nor take away
- Receive Him as the way of life, truth, repentance, forgiveness,
purity and life without end
Goodwill toward men
- When men become reconciled to God, through the death of His Son,
they love one another. They have peace with God; peace in their own
consciences; and peace with their neighbours: goodwill dwells among
them, speaks in them, and works by them.
Let us pray together for the peace of the whole of Africa and the
entire world and for the peace of the King of Peace to shine
brightly in us all.
I cordially congratulate you on Christmas and wish you abundant
grace in the unlimited love that God has demonstrated for the human
race- each one of us- in the birth of our Lord, God and Saviour
Jesus Christ.
Bishop Antonious Markos |
