JOY - this is what Christmas makes us feel as we look forward to celebrating with our family and our extended parish family. As we anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ nativity and gradually usher in the joyful spirit of Christmas, I encourage everyone to take a moment to savor the remaining days of Advent in stillness, quiet, peace, hope, and prayer. The busyness of the season can rob us of the advent spirit that is so important. We need to make space and time for God. I also invite you all to be mindful of our Christmas liturgies. We will probably see friends and parishioners we haven’t seen for a while. We will have guests. As our Parish Pastoral Plan says, let’s practice Radical Hospitality. Words of welcome, a smile, a handshake, offering a seat to someone during our Christmas Masses are simple, yet meaningful gestures of radical hospitality and I am sure will bring JOY in the life of others. 

Remembering the great gift of the birth of our savior Jesus, we are confident and secure in the fulfillment of God’s promise that He is Emmanuel, God is with us, until the end of time. This is a reminder to always carry the light of hope in our hearts. This is fitting as we look forward to the new year, the Jubilee Year of 2025, that takes place every 25 years. Pope Francis has declared it as the Year of Hope. In a world suffering from war, climate change and the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, this Jubilee year carries the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope” as we yearn to restore hope and trust, recover a sense of universal fraternity, and care for the common home.

Let me end this message by sharing some thoughts from Henri Nouwen:

God came to us because He wanted to join us on the road, to listen to our story, and to help us realize that we are not walking in circles but moving toward the house of peace and joy.  This is the great mystery of Christmas that continues to give us comfort and consolation: we are not alone on our journey.  The God of love who gave us life sent His only Son to be with us at all times and in all places, so that we never have to feel lost in our struggles but always can trust that He walks with us.

Christmas is the renewed invitation not to be afraid and to let Him – whose love is greater than our own hearts and minds can comprehend – be our companion.

On behalf of Fr. Robert, Msgr. Pat, the parish and school staff and leadership, I wish all of you a Blessed and Merry Christmas!