Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

While the narratives of Jesus’ birth are found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, it is the beginning of the Gospel of John that we are given to understand the true meaning of Christmas, namely:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (Jn 1:1-5)

Though the second person of the Holy Trinity, the Son, existed before time, he was born in time for our salvation. The Word became flesh to dispel the darkness of fear and guilt, ignorance and hatred, sin and death. Through him, with him, and in him, as we profess in the doxology at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer of Mass, the divine light is cast on all humanity to bring about mercy, healing, forgiveness and reconciliation between God and us, as well as among ourselves.

May divine grace enable us to echo the response of the Blessed Virgin Mary in saying yes to God’s will in all things, especially in receiving Jesus in Word, Sacrament and Neighbor. May we take inspiration from St. Joseph in receiving the Lord Jesus into our homes and our lives, and may we make every effort to give witness to his sacred presence by our words and deeds.

Let us join in the chorus of the angels, the adoration of the shepherds, and the worship of the magi in celebrating the incarnation of the Word of God becoming like us in all things but sin to transform our minds and hearts.

There is no darkness in our world—whether hatred, violence, injustice, pride, deception, greed, lust, infidelity or despair—that the light of Jesus Christ cannot overcome.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas and New Year, with assurance of prayer and remembrance at the altar of our Lord and Savior, I remain

Yours in the Peace and Joy of Jesus Christ,

+Charles C. Thompson
Archbishop Charles C. Thompson