2014 Christmas Pastoral Greetings

Pastoral Greetings for Christmas 2014

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

When I was a little boy living on a prairie farm, on Christmas Eve before our family would sit down to a special meal of twelve meatless dishes, my two brothers and I would go to the barn with our dad and offer our livestock a little bit of our Christmas Eve meal. We would then walk back to our house, knowing that mom would be waiting for us and that the house would be filled with the pleasant smell of wonderful foods. My younger brother would be told to go to the window and scrape some of the frost off a pane of glass to watch for the first star to shine in the sky. Only then would we begin our special meal. Afterwards, depending on the weather and the roads, we might make our way to our parish to participate in the Christmas Eve services, or we might go to church the next day. How do you remember your childhood Christmases?

I do not remember if it was a stressful time for my parents or for other grown-ups. Yet, today as an adult, I realize that Christmas time can often be a difficult time for many people. It is often hard for us to keep in mind the priority of the celebration, which is, of course, the Nativity of our Savior. Each year, once we are done with celebrating Thanksgiving and have dealt with eager children expecting candy at our door, we are bombarded with the commercial side of the “holiday” celebrations. We can get so drawn into the “business” side of Christmas that we forget the “reason for the season.” Advent/Philip’s Fast is coming to a close. We’ve purchased gifts, sent out Christmas cards, made plans for the Christmas feast. But now it is time to prepare ourselves spiritually for the Birth of the Christ-child, and remember those who will find themselves alone this Christmas, those seeking a place at a shelter, a single parent with financial problems, etc.

Think about it. Jesus, the incarnate Word of God, came into the world in the most humble of ways, born to a poor couple in a lowly place where livestock were sheltered. He was greeted by shepherds, men who lived a lonely life on the fringes of society. This tender Babe who took on human frailty and was in need of mercy, is the all merciful God who invites us to find ways of being merciful to others: to our spouses, children, grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and, yes, especially strangers!

Wherever we live, let us make a special effort to be a sign of the Lord’s presence, goodness and mercy. Let us all be like the angel who called out to the shepherds: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11) Let us be like the star, which guides others to Bethlehem to meet the Lord.

May our Lord Jesus Christ born in the city of David and laid in a manger by His most pure Mother, the Blessed and Ever-virgin Mary, bless you and your family as you celebrate and share with others the Good News of His Nativity!

Sincerely yours in our New-born Lord,
+Ken
Bishop of New Westminster
for Ukrainian Catholics in British Columbia and Yukon