“Christmas”, the Holy Father said, “fills us with joy and makes us certain that no sin will ever be greater than God’s mercy”.

Christmas is the celebration of God’s gift to us of his son, Jesus.  It is a gift that arises out of His great love for us.  Jesus is born to save us from sin and death.

St. Athanasius, an early doctor of the Church, wrote, “Because of his great love for us, Jesus, the Word of God, became what we are in order to make us what he is himself.”  God took on our human nature so that we may share in his divine nature.

Jesus, in taking on our human nature, shows us that we are worth a lot in the eyes of God.  Through his manifestation of love towards us he reminds us that we should show the same kind of love towards each other.  Our world needs the message of Jesus, a message of love, of hope, of joy.  This message is delivered on Christmas, but it must continue to be present not just at Christmas but throughout the year.

We live the true meaning of Christmas by carrying God’s love into what we do.  Let us see Jesus in the people that we meet.  Our world needs the love, the forgiveness, the mercy, the care that Jesus showed whilst he lived among us.  Each of us is loved by God. Jesus is Emmanuel, God is with us.  This is the Good News

May Christmas for each one of us be a source of joy which will carry on within us throughout the year.  May we welcome Jesus, let him be born in our hearts.  Let us open our door to him and let him dwell within us.

With gratitude we pray: Lord of all love, you have come to us so we can come to you. You have become physical so we can become spiritual. You have embraced us with your Love so we can embrace others with your love. We ask you now to give us the strength and the courage to proclaim your Presence with our Lives.

I wish all of you, your family and your friends a blessed and wonderful Christmas.  May God also keep you safe and healthy in the coming Year.