"Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, goodwill among men."

For more than 2,000 years, this angelic hymn has sounded in all Christian churches to glorify the Nativity of Christ as a celebration of hope and faith in the all-conquering power of love and kindness. And this year, more than ever, all believers pray deep in their hearts for peace on earth and understanding between all people. ‎

As every year, the Holy Feast of the Nativity reminds us that the Son of God came among us to take us out of the vicious circle of enmity and to teach us true love, which does not ask for or expect anything in return. He gives us His example by offering Himself as a sacrifice for our salvation. That is why the fasting that precedes the Holy Feast is joyful, but also humble in anticipation of the Light that is born in every believer.‎

"Like every single period that we enter, also now the church has prepared us with fasting to receive the birth of Christ”, notes Priest Lyubomir Stoyanov, chairman of the board of the Sofia-based church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross of the Lord". The important thing is not to forget that fasting is a spiritual feat, that is why the Church advises us to accept Christmas not in any lavishness, but in modesty - befitting His birth in a manger, and not as a king is born. This is how we experience Christmas Eve with simple food and with prayer, in anticipation of the Holy Feast."‎

In the hours before the feast, the Church recalls the words of the prophet Isaiah, who emphasizes the salvation that will come through the Messiah: "And they will call Him Emmanuel, which means God with us." He will rule in righteousness, bring peace and be a light to all nations. It is these words that fill the believers who are spiritually preparing for the holiday, on the morning of the Nativity of Christ, with hope:

"Prepared, first of all let's go to the temple, look for the priest for confession, let's partake of the Holy Sacraments”, advises Father Lyubomir. “This is how we could welcome the holiday in the most appropriate way, as Orthodox Christians. The other part, which is the material part, everyone can judge what is most suitable. This holiday does not emphasize the external side, but the spiritual. Of course, waiting for guests for the celebration, there is a certain danger of displacing the essence of the festivity."‎

And it is in the soul where love is born. True love for one's neighbour is not expressed only in the care and affection for our closest people, but in forgiving those who hate and offend us, in giving them a hand and in showing them the true essence of Love. To forgive - to be forgiven, to love without expecting to be loved and to give without seeking praise and recognition. ‎

When we gather with our loved ones at the table - let's think about all those who at this moment are suffering and cannot enjoy what we have and let us thank God for the joy of being all together at the table: ‎

"In fact, whatever we put on the table, it is important that it be blessed by the head of the family, that a prayer be read before that. Everything else is vanity. We, as Orthodox Christians, who received the Holy Baptism, following the example of Jesus Christ, through the font of the Holy Church, which symbolizes the womb, are born in Christ. Therefore, this holiday is a good occasion to strengthen our faith. Let this Nativity of Christ be a good occasion for everyone to be born again and live a dignified life as a true follower of Christ”, is the message of Priest Lyubomir Stoyanov from Sofia’s church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.