It was to my complete surprise to hear recently on the radio a phrase from one of the commentators, who correctly characterized our present reality with the battle of COVID -19: “This virus doesn’t know a Christmas break or any other holiday celebrated by this or other nation or an ethnic group. It only knows one purpose “infection”. Indeed, no matter where we live, what languages we speak or how much money we make… the virus unites all of us into a “host”, a host to infect. COVID -19 doesn’t negotiate with any of us. It is independent and ultimately destructive.

The virus shows us the absurdity and superficiality of human segregation, as it attacks everyone. The divisiveness and segregation created by human civilization has been completely obliterated without any difficulty or line of defense. In a way, this virus emphasizes the fragility of human life and its indifference of any distinction so carefully defined and protected by man. A small virus erases the presumptuous power of the human being and replaces it with anxiety and desperation. Humanity is on the same boat of survival while the virus forces us into a sense of humility, which needs to be embraced and realized by all of us.

If we, as Orthodox Christians, are on the same boat of survival, what is the response in light of this human tragedy? What will we say, as Orthodox Christians, at this time of Christ’s Nativity to all those who have been and continue to be directly infected by COVID -19.

The message of the season of Christ’s Nativity can be summarized with a message from the Great Compline before the Feast of Nativity and the Feast of Jordan, which proclaims these intriguing words: “God is with us! Understand all nations, and submit yourselves, for God is with us!” (Is. 8:9-10). It is a message found neither in other religions, philosophical movements or contemporary existential trends. It is proclaimed exactly on the eve of the Feast of Nativity and the Feast of Jordan.

In the liturgical language, the Church recalls the words of prophet Isaiah who brings the message of God’s presence to humanity. This is a message of assurance of God’s hope for humanity without exclusion or divisiveness. It is a message of inclusivity, which unites all nations, ethnic groups, and races into a coherent body. According to one of the contemporary theologians, God is present with the entire human race in the perspective of the Nativity of the Messiah, born of the Virgin Mary. When the Son of God is born: God is with us, He is not only with Christians, but even with those who do not seek Him or do not ask for Him. The acclamation of God’s presence with the human race should never be understood as subordination or enslavement, but rather the honour bestowed by God upon every individual born into this world. God in His infinity and invisible nature becomes one of us in order to bring us back to our original destiny. It is an ultimate Gift of God to all of us, even though there is a risk of being rejected or even put to death. The season of Christ’s Nativity and the Feast of Jordan presents us with the reality of God accepting the entire reality of human life except sin. This also includes the aspect of suffering and pain experienced at this time by every nation in the form of Covid-19. There is a mysterious acceptance by God of the totality of human experience of life on earth, which is never explained by God. The only explanation from God is the cross of Jesus Christ, on which the Son of God, using the words of Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me”, expresses the voice of humanity experiencing tragedy and alienation.

Let us carry our daily burdens of life knowing that in this struggle our God is present. The ultimate assurance and gift of God to all of us is the Messiah: the Son of God, who through His suffering accepts every tragedy in the world. God is not only the God of heavens, but He is also the God of every human experience – tears of sorrow and smiles of joy. This is the authentic message of Christmas of the Orthodox Church.