Today, Dr. Sami Fawzy, Archbishop of the Province of Alexandria of the Anglican Episcopal Church in Egypt, presided over the Christmas Mass prayers, attended by clergy of the Episcopal churches in Egypt, at All Saints’ Cathedral in Zamalek.
In his sermon, the Archbishop said: What happens when you follow a star and find a manger? We often live with a painful gap between what we expect and what we actually encounter. We plan and anticipate great things, only to be surprised by a different reality that leaves us feeling disappointed and confused. This was also the experience of the Magi. They followed a star expecting a king in a palace, yet found themselves standing before a manger in a stable. But they did not allow the shock of reality to stop them. Instead, they transformed disappointment into a divine encounter. In the simplicity of that place, they recognized the true presence of God and discovered that God sometimes works in places beyond our imagination.
He continued: The Magi teach us three profound spiritual truths. First, to seek God in every circumstance—whether in a palace or in a manger—because God is present even in the darkest and most painful moments. Second, to offer God our very best regardless of how circumstances may differ from our expectations. The Magi presented their gold, frankincense, and myrrh, proclaiming that true worship is not dependent on a perfect setting but on a sincere heart. Third, obedience that changes direction: after encountering Christ, the Magi returned home by another route, declaring that a genuine meeting with God transforms our path and renews our lives.
He concluded: Thus, Christmas calls us to see God within our reality, to turn disappointment into hope, pain into fellowship, and broken expectations into divine appointments. We may not find what we once dreamed of, but we will find something greater—the very presence of Christ Himself, whose light shines in the darkness and grants a peace that surpasses all understanding. When we seek God, offer Him our best, and obey His voice, true Christmas begins in our hearts.