Christmas Letter 2014

Tuesday  |  December 16, 2014  |  11:34 AM

Christmas Letter 2014

In the fields outside of Bethlehem the Angel of the Lord proclaimed to the shepherds who were on the night watch that the “savoir has been born for you who is Christ the Lord”, to find him they would know, “and this will be a sign for you; you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”  (Lk. 2:12).      How privileged were the shepherds to discover this “good news of great joy”.   It was granted to them because they kept the “night watch”, they were vigilant.  

Following the “night watch” of Advent, we his disciples too have heard the announcement of great joy.   The sign for us would be something that would warm our hearts made cold by the darkness and lifeless reality of sin.    The sight of an infant child, a new born baby is the manner in which God brings us the announcement of his love.    God reaches us through his gentleness by appealing to our humanity, to our ability to love. 

This Christmas is a reminder that we have come not to celebrate a tradition, a holiday, or a season, but a memorial celebration that marks the day in which we met a child who is for us the Incarnate Love of God.    It is a celebration that God has come to meet us, that God has remembered his people.   It is a celebration of God’s immense mercy and compassion; he saw us lifeless and now brings us new life and joy.  

As you gather with your loved ones and family members to give thanks for the gift of our Savior, you join a vast multitude of Christians throughout the world joyfully celebrating this day.    Remember that Christ is your Lord and it is because of him that every twinkle of light inside and outside your home, every song of joy echoing in every church, home, or place of business, every gift given every stocking stuffed, it is all because God loved the world so much that he gave us his only begotten Son that we might not perish but have eternal life (cf. Jn 3:16). 

May this Christmas be for all of you a time of renewal and recommitment of faith.   May the warmth of this holy season inspire in you a desire to grow in faith, to pray with eagerness and to open you hearts to love one another especially those in most need.    Christmas is always a celebration of faith and love, may you be instruments of peace, reconciliation, and joy to your families especially this Christmas.    And may the new born Savior keep you and bless you now and always.   

Merry Christmas,

Fr. Rodolfo D. Vásquez