Riga Archbishop of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Rinalds Grants, in his Christmas message, urged not to worry if peace of mind is lacking more than usual, writes LETA.
“If there is something to avoid at Christmas, it is returning a gift to the giver,” noted Grants. In his address, he explained that this often happens in a person's relationship with God.
“Therefore, let us not worry if many of us are lacking peace of mind more than usual. Perhaps this is how we become more ready to accept Him — Christ, our peace,” emphasized the archbishop.
In his message, Grants noted that there will always be reasons for concern in this world.
In his Christmas wish, he emphasized that the celebration of the Nativity of Christ is not detached from reality, but offers a kind of roadmap to renewed life. He reminded of the words of the prophet Isaiah about the Prince of Peace and pointed out that today this message remains effective, even if against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, societal division, and daily haste, it may seem like a romantic dream.
According to Grants, God's unusual decision brings an equally unusual peace — this does not mean that the surrounding turmoil and conflicts have ceased, that people are no longer burdened by unemployment and illness, or that only good news is heard in news broadcasts.
This Christmas, he wished for trust in Christ, emphasizing that even amid global upheavals, war, and internal tension, peace of mind is possible if it is based not on circumstances, but on a person — Christ, who is with us, and therefore peace in the heart becomes possible.
The archbishop explained that God chooses to reveal Himself in the form of a child so that a person does not overestimate the familiar solutions of this world, which cannot provide true inner peace. This peace, according to Grants, does not mean the disappearance of external problems, but the restoration of inner integrity, justice, security, and harmony in a person.
In his message, he emphasized that true peace is not rooted in circumstances or diplomacy, but in Christ, also referring to the thought of Saint Augustine that “Christ is our peace.” At the same time, Grants noted that ignoring the reality of sin does not allow peace to be restored, while the sacrifice of Christ enables a person to begin a renewed life.
The archbishop urged to trust Christ as the bearer of peace and to become witnesses of peace in their families, workplaces, among friends, and throughout Latvia, emphasizing that the Nativity of Christ testifies — the Prince of Peace is born, and peace of mind is possible.
Although a child in the face of our problems may not seem like a promising solution, this is how God chooses to reveal Himself, so that “we do not place too much hope in the familiar solutions of this world that do not bring us inner peace.”
Grants wished that the peace of Christ would fill the hearts and homes of people and remain in them in the new year of the Lord's grace.
