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From the Pastor's Desk: December 25, 2022
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From the Pastor’s Desk: December 25, 2022
“She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Lk 2:7).
Today, together with the entire world, we celebrate Christmas. Like every year we find ourselves at the familiar scene of the manger in Bethlehem along with Mary and Joseph and their newborn baby, the rugged shepherds and the heavenly choir of angels. It is extremely shocking that these rugged surroundings of pity and poverty bring such an incredible joy and peace. Shepherds rushed to be there, animals followed, and the heavenly host with the angels were praising God singing: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Today, centuries later we are blessed to join people throughout the world who come with us to see and worship the newborn Son of God.
In His birth, our Lord becomes one of us to share our weakness and poverty. He sleeps not in a warm palace bedroom, but on a bed of hay. He suffers the cold of night in a drafty stable. He shares His space with the cow, the donkey, and a small flock of sheep. Christmas reminds us that God knows our suffering; because He has experienced it Himself. He knows the hardships of those who suffer and are rejected, those with temporary shelter and who have difficulties having their ends meet, the discomfort of the patient in a hospital bed. He answers the hopes and desires of men and women who found themselves walking in darkness of struggle and difficulties, who had grown tired under life’s burdens, who were longing for freedom from their fears and anxieties.
Friends, the amazing Good News of Christmas night is the truth that God takes for Himself the visible image of man, and in doing so reveals and restores us to His own image and likeness. His birth reminds us of our origin, renews us, and reconciles us to Himself. With the birth of Jesus everything becomes new because the Baby “changes everything.” So, as we take some moments to ponder the meaning of the manger, we discover that Christmas is not about the pageantry, the holiday advertisements, how much we spend, or how many gifts we can pile up under the tree. It’s about the Son of God made man and the joyful announcement of His birth to the entire world by the way we reflect His image in our lives.
To support the spiritual growth and wellbeing of our parishioners, friends and benefactors, we extend access to the Formed.org website for another year as our gift to you. May the love of Christ and the fire of His Spirit consume us like a flame of loving service for God and each other.
This Christmas, we will share with you another gift – “Holy Moments” book by Mathew Kelly. This book – like all his books – offers a transforming opportunity for our lives. Often, life‘s most important truths are the simplest to say but the hardest to hear. This small book is incredibly powerful and can help you change your life if you want to allow its message to penetrate your heart, mind and soul. Please take and share with others and read it as we will make practical references in the next few months.
On this special day of Christmas, together with Father Jaison, Deacons Steve, the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Family, the entire staff, and Pastor’s Advisory Team of our parish, I pray and wish all of you- dear parishioners, friends, and visitors alike, that this Christmas may find you longing with Mary and Joseph, for the place where Divine Life is to be born into the world! May you and your families be blessed this Christmas with the continuous birth of His Divine Love in your hearts and in your homes!
Have a blessed and Merry Christmas!
With prayers,
Fr. Andy
