Today, Archbishop Dr. Sami Fawzi, Archbishop of the Province of Alexandria of the Anglican Episcopal Church, presided over the Church’s annual celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ by candlelight, held prior to Christmas. The celebration included a selection of Christmas carols in both Arabic and English, along with readings from Holy Scripture, and took place at All Saints’ Episcopal Cathedral in Zamalek.
In his sermon, the Archbishop said that the story of the Magi represents a recurring human experience lived by many, when hope leads to great expectations, only to be met with a simple or even painful reality. The Magi followed the star in search of a king, yet they found a child lying in a manger. The birth of Christ reveals God’s presence in unexpected places and calls believers not to tie faith to outward appearances or visible success.
The Archbishop noted that the Magi offered a model of practical faith, as they continued to seek God despite confusion, offered their very best without hesitation, and responded to God’s guidance by changing their course. He emphasized in his sermon that disappointment should not lead to withdrawal, but can instead become a new starting point.
He concluded his sermon by stressing that the essence of Christmas lies in transforming pain and disappointment into hope, and in recognizing God’s presence amid suffering. He affirmed that true Christmas begins when a person trusts that what they find with God may be far greater than what they had expected.
It is worth noting that the Anglican Episcopal Church celebrates the official Christmas Eve Liturgy on the night of December 24 at All Saints’ Episcopal Cathedral in Zamalek.