The Nativity of the Lord 2022

My Dear People, 

I wish for the child Jesus to bless each and every one of you, and your families this year.  It is important for us to reflect on the child because God loved us so much that He did not come as an emperor or ruler, He came as a child, vulnerable, and yet lovable. Jesus came as a child so that he would be one of us.  This is something so extraordinary that we will never comprehend. 

This birthday of Jesus truly reflects the prophecy of Isaiah: “A virgin will be with child, and He will be called Immanuel!” (God is with us).  

In the Advent Readings, Isaiah wanted to reassure King Ahaz and Judah that God did not forget them, and He does not forget us. We need not worry about many little things because God is always with us. He came to be with us, so that humanity would be saved. 

His name, Jesus, in Hebrew, Yashua, means God saves. Jesus came to throw us a lifeline so that we would not drown in the waters of doubt, worry, uncertainty, and preoccupations, but would have peace in our hearts. This is what the angels sang to the shepherds that holy night: “Glory to God in the Highest and peace to people of good will!”  God wants to give us His peace, especially when we reflect on His love for us by sending us Jesus, and most especially when we try our best to keep the words of Jesus in our lives. Then we become the people of good will, to whom God wants to give peace. 

I pray there will be peace in your families. I pray the child Jesus will guide each family to appreciate what is really valuable. I pray that each one grows in the love of God and is thankful for what God has given us.  

We all pray for the parts of the world where there is no peace, such as in Ukraine. We pray for the parts of the world where Christians are persecuted. We pray that more Christians will be at peace, and may the love Christians show enable the non-Christians to be transformed. 

Peace and Joy in Christ Jesus,

Fr. Vincent Clemente

 

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