Nehase 29 — September 04

We Remember Jesus' Birth

Today is a happy day! We remember the birth of our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ, the one who rescues us and keeps us safe.

Jesus is God, and He loves us so much that He came to be born as a tiny baby, just like us. His mother is the holy Lady Mary, the Virgin Mary. She held Him close and loved Him.

Why did Jesus come? He came to save the whole world, every person, everywhere. He came so that we could be God's children and live with Him forever. That is the best gift of all.

When we remember Jesus' birth, we can say thank you to Him for coming to be our friend and our Savior. We can give Him our love, like a present from our hearts.

Salutation to Thy Birth.

Saint Athanasius the Brave Bishop

Saint Athanasius was a bishop, a church father who watches over God's people and cares for them. He loved Jesus with all his heart, and he was very brave.

Athanasius helped a young girl learn about God and become a Christian. Some people did not like this, and they told the king. The king asked Athanasius to stop loving Jesus.

But Athanasius would not stop! He stood up tall and said, "I am a Christian." Even when things got hard, his faith in Jesus grew bigger and stronger, like a tree reaching up to the sky.

Two of his helpers, Garsomes and Theodotus, were brave too. All three of them stayed faithful to God right to the end, holding on to Jesus even though it cost them their lives. They were not afraid, because they knew they were going home to God in heaven, where He gave them crowns.

After this, kind people who believed in Jesus carefully took the bodies of the three saints. They wrapped them in fine, soft cloths and laid them to rest with love. And then God worked many signs and miracles through these holy saints, showing everyone how special they were to Him.

I am a Christian.— Saint Athanasius

Saint Irenaeus, Who Trusted God

Saint Irenaeus was a bishop in a place called Sorem. He loved God and served Him every day.

One night, some men took Irenaeus to a ruler's house. The ruler told him to pray to false gods, pretend gods that are not real at all. But Irenaeus said no.

He answered bravely, "I will not. I love God, and I am His servant." Irenaeus knew that there is only one true God, and he would never turn away from Him.

Then Irenaeus prayed a kind and loving prayer. He asked God to take care of his soul, to watch over all the people in Sorem, and to give peace to the churches. He thought about everyone else, even at the very end. That is how much he loved.

Irenaeus trusted Jesus completely. He said he believed in his Lord Jesus Christ, and he gave himself fully to God. Like a faithful saint, he went home to be with the Lord he loved so much. We thank God for brave Irenaeus, who never stopped trusting Him.

I will not. I love God, and I am His servant.— Saint Irenaeus

Bringing Home Abba John the Short

Abba John the Short was a very holy monk who had died long ago. He had spent his life quietly praying and serving God. He was so loved that even after he died, people wanted to be close to him.

The monks of a faraway place called Scete had a wish. They said, "We want the body of Abba John the Short to rest in our church, so we can pray near him." The archbishop felt God moving his heart, so he sent helpers to bring Abba John home.

But this was not easy! Abba John's body was being kept by some other people who would not give him up. So a kind governor made a clever plan. He helped the monks dress in special clothes so they could go right into the church. Then, quietly in the night, the monks carried Abba John away and brought him all the way back to the desert of Scete. What a long journey!

When they arrived, the monks ran out to meet them with crosses, holy books, music, sweet incense, and joyful songs. Everyone was so happy! They sang, "Blessed is he who comes in the Name of God."

Then God did something they would never forget. While the Gospel was being read, the whole church filled up with bright heavenly light and a sweet smell, like nothing anyone had ever known before. It was God's way of showing how special Abba John was. There was so much joy that day, and many good things happened through this gentle saint.

Blessed is he who comes in the Name of God.— the monks of Scete