http://saintannschurchandshrine.blogspot.com/2008/12/message-from-our-pastor.html

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christmas isn’t like it used to be” is an expression that I often heard from my parishioners, and has been repeated for many generations. Despite this apparent defeatism, the birthday of the Child-of-children enjoys continued success with its special language that always touches and enlivens the human heart. Inevitably, each year Christmas arrives in a world which often seems violent and dark, to bring us back to essential things, speaking to us of gentleness, light, love and friendship.

Despite their efforts, commercial pitfalls do not stop Christmas from retaining its ability to make us dream of new beginnings, as it speaks to us of birth and life in a spontaneous, natural and super-natural way, and drawing us into our inner-selves through memories, senses, intuition or imagination. Christmas, beyond all philosophical, scientific or political discussion, tells us with simplicity that our deepest desires for peace and joy are not extravagances, nostalgic journeys into the past or crazy surrealistic trips.

Christmas allows us to discover or rediscover God as a priority, the Truth as a companion on the journey of life, the Good toward others and the Beauty of things as undeniable preferences, because when all is said and done, we cannot conclude otherwise, since we are made in His image and likeness. Christmas thus manages to reawaken that which no longer seems to exist within us by welling up here and there some novelty, something unforeseen, or surprises which spontaneously open to the mystery and the infinite goodness of our God who made Himself small to teach us how to grow with Him and in Him. It is so simple these days to allow ourselves to be distanced from reality and to take the easy way out, or even to satisfy all our passing desires, whether selfish or virtual. Christmas reminds us that the search for goodness and beauty is not an abstract idea, but is at the heart of our Christian identity.

Surely from time to time, we have all had bad experiences during Christmas, but we have also been able to see with our own eyes, as the saying goes, unthinkable reconciliations, tempered judgments, calmed fears, and fulfilled loneliness which are made concrete with the birth of Jesus and the spirit of Christmas.

This great celebration allows us to rediscover Christ and our true place in the world of highs and lows which surround us. This world where so many elderly persons, youth, tormented souls, and those starved for affection, acceptance and love cry out to us and ask for our help to bandage their wounds or their broken hearts. We will never be able to respond to these needs if we do not first allow ourselves to be touched by heavenly grace, in the person of Jesus, and share freely that which we have received freely from our loving God.

May you find the courage to synchronize your hearts with the heart of God who alone can fulfill His Promise this Christmas 2008, by knowing how to birth or rebirth the incarnate Word in you. In this context, I hope that you can continue to keep alive in your families, schools, work environments, the language that is so particular to Christmas so that when all is said and done, God may find his proper place in your heart and in your life.

Faithfully yours,
Fr. Roy


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