This was Jesus’ answer to his concerned parents who during their pilgrimage to Jerusalem had lost him. Jesus had remained in Jerusalem, where in the temple he was answering the questions of the learned teachers. Jesus was in the temple—His Father’s house. Looking for him anywhere else would have been surprising.

His Father’s House.

Having a house is every persons’ goal—their own house. It is the dream of every family; so much so that for Americans it has become the ultimate goal to own a “dream house.” We search for the best house; we want the most magnificent house. But, after achieving this goal, then what? The important thing is not owning a house, but rather living in that house, enjoying family, social and moral goodness.

From a young age Jesus remained in His Father’s house. Through the life He lived, He demonstrated that we need not search for Him anyplace else. What a great blessing it is living in God’s House! There we find holiness with the purity of heaven, love through God’s salvation, reverence through the glorification of God’s greatness, and a life of faith by following and practicing God’s commandments. God’s House—the Church—is the dwelling place of all of these values, and when we live there we become closer to God. The church becomes the Mt. Tabor of the Transfiguration, and like the apostles we say, “It is good that we stay here.” (Luke 9:33). Is it not spiritual happiness when we enjoy God’s friendship, His protection and safety? He educates us. He teaches us to love, to forgive and to serve our fellow human beings. We are surrounded by so many vices and temptations that sometimes we lose our way and seek a house solely for pleasures sake. Such houses are neither educational nor constructive, and we forget that our home is God’s house, where the soul finds its dignity and where we become pure and loving, like God.

Jesus was an inhabitant of God’s house when they found Him there in the temple and He taught us to select it as the place we live.

The Armenian Church, as God’s house, became salvational and holy in our nation’s life. Our homes, by the healthy education, example and witness provided by our parents, became as sacred as a church, where the mutual love between parent and child created true intimacy and harmony, so that respect became as strong and effective as a law, and where our national traditions and holiness created God-pleasing human creatures.

Christ gave His church to humankind as a gift, at the price of His life. That Armenianized church sacrificed itself for our grace and progress. Our families were filled with the biblical spirit of God, and our homes became individual chapels. The smoke rising from the hearths was incense and prayers for all members of the family beginning with the patriarch to the newborn infant. If we are searching for a gift on the occasion of Christmas, let it be the return to the holiness of family life and ethical and moral values. That gift is our obedience to God, with the promise to listen, and especially to promise to implement His commandments.

Thus, we live in God’s house, living His holiness, when we fill our homes and families with our sacred traditions and our national heritage. We provide witness to the world to this by the life we live and when we build God’s universal house, filled with God’s goodness and charity, where all humankind lives in peace and good will.

Was this not the “good tidings of great joy” given to us by the angels at the time of the Nativity? “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward all.” (Luke 2:14).

Truly, on the occasion of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest gift we can give to God and all humankind is our firm word: “Do you not know that I can be found in my father’s house?” God’s house. Our home.

Christ was born and revealed. Good tidings to all.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN
Prelate

Christmas 2007