News

Dear Parishioners

We’ve been hearing a lot about the “Spirit of Christmas” lately. Our Advent Season of waiting and watching gives way to the joy and holiness of Christmas Day and all it brings: the tearing of wrapping paper, the precious time with friends and family, Christmas Mass, and an extra good meal!

For some, Christmas is about giving; for others, it’s joy, or family, or peace on earth. However, when we come to the various accounts of that first Christmas in the Bible, it is obvious that the “spirit of Christmas” is primarily about God’s love manifested in a divine giving. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3: 16.) The heart of Christmas is the gift of Jesus Christ who saves us.  He is the gift who overwhelms us with his love and peace, and guides our hearts.

Christmas is also about encountering God who comes to be with us and sharing this Good News with others. The shepherds on a hillside, after hearing about this divine visit from the angels become the first heralds of the Good News. Having heard this news, the shepherds ran to see what the angels had announced, and after seeing with their own eyes they couldn’t keep it to themselves. Luke says, “When they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.” (Luke 2:17)

As we celebrate this gift of Jesus Christ among us this Christmas, let joy, peace and love be born in our hearts, in our families, in our parish and in the whole world, not just this Christmas day, but every day of our lives. And let us share the Good News about this gift from heaven with others, especially with family members, relatives, and friends.

If you are returning to Church today from a long or short absence, or read this message at home, let the Spirit of Christmas and the Good News of God’s Love fill you, that your hearts may open wide this day and return to the joy of celebrating the Eucharist today and every week of the year.

The Eucharist is the feast the Father has so lovingly prepared for you. He waits to receive you with arms wide open. He can’t wait to hear about your week, your worries, your success, your desires… everything.  Our heavenly Father doesn’t care if you’ve been away for a week, a few months or even a few years.  All He truly desires is your company at Mass this Christmas and we the Holy Family Parish do too.

May God bless you this Christmas and may your hearts be filled with the Joy of Christ’s birth and may you be messengers of that joy. Merry Christmas!

Fr. Henry Adler, SVD