Dear Friends in Christ,
As we gather to celebrate Christmasthis Sunday, we rejoice in the birth of our Savior who brings us hope, joy and a new understanding of God’s love. In the midst of this busy season, it is important to reflect upon why “Jesus is The Reason” for it all.
Before Christ came, human beings were mired in sin and alienated from God because of it. This alienation began in The Garden of Eden and continued, after the Fall of Man, by affecting all human beings who were born in the generations following. Yet, God had a plan to save us which took thousands of years to unfold. The birth of Jesus came about, as Scripture tells us, in “the fullness of time”. Thus, in God’s plan, He allowed His Only Begotten Son, through the action of the Holy Spirit, to be born into the world, born of the Virgin Mary, so that He might save us from our sins by becoming the perfect sacrifice for sin on the Cross. As we rejoice in His birth this Christmas, Calvary seems far away. Yet, even now we know that Jesus freely submitted to the Cross out of love for us. This could not have happened if He had not yet first been born.
Jesus’ death reconciled us to God and opened Heaven to us. Jesus, our Redeemer and Savior, began life among us as a helpless baby, being like us in all things but sin. At Christmas, we rejoice in the gift of Jesus who is our salvation. Christmas joy includes hope for eternal life, through faith in Christ, and hope in every human situation in need of redemption. Emmanuel, the Christmas name of Jesus means “God-Is-With-Us.” In faith, we know that we are never alone. Jesus is our constant friend and companion, brother and teacher, who fills us with grace and offers us Himself in the Holy Eucharist. At Christmas, we reflect upon life without Jesus. What would the world be like if He had never lived? Would there even be a world at all?
As much as being a historical event, Christmas is also an experience. Each time we, in faith, make God’s love real through our actions of charity, Christ is born among us. Christmas happens every time we bring God into the world through the way we live.
This Christmas, let us pray that our faith is renewed and strengthened by our celebration of Our Lord’s birthday. May we resolve to live Christmas throughout the year by acting in charity and by letting our Christian faith guide us.
On behalf of St. Peter’s Parish staff, I would like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and holy New Year 2023. May God’s blessings be upon us as we continue, together, our journey of faith.
In Christ, Fr. Michael