A blessed and merry Christmas to you all.

My brothers and sisters, rejoice! What a blessed time to be able to be with you and share God’s message. Christmas gives us a glimpse of God’s heart and reveals God’s plan for us. He makes His dwelling with us, with a presence that restores and renews us, and that is something we can celebrate!

At Christmas, part of what He shows us is that in the midst of the struggles and anxieties caused by the pandemic, He brings us the gifts of peace and reconciliation.

Jesus is Emmanuel, Wonder Counselor, God Hero, Father Forever, Prince of Peace. Jesus is the true “gift” of Christmas who reveals that our Heavenly Father is a loving, forgiving and merciful God. The crib points to the cross and reminds us that Jesus’ life and death are the ultimate demonstration of God’s love for us, one that atoned for our sins. Let us first receive and then share this gift of God’s love together as family.

Each Christmas reminds us that sharing God’s love with others is our good fortune as Christians, and the best gift we have to offer. Take time to reflect on this gift of love, to accept God’s grace and to determine how you can best share this gift throughout the year.

St. Teresa of Calcutta said “It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you … yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.” My sisters and brothers, I offer you my hand and together we can live out the example of Jesus with each other.

Please know of my prayers for all of you this Christmas season, and I ask you to pray for me.

God bless you all.