A holy day has dawned upon us.
Come, you nations, and adore the Lord.
For today a great light has come upon the earth.
Merry Christmas! Today let us be surprised by joy, the joy of God in Our Lord Jesus Christ. He is our hope, love, joy and peace!
In the 12th century, a monk named Bernard of Clairvaux mused about Christmas. He pointed out that God had promised a Savior throughout the Old Testament, but the promise’s fulfillment seemed delayed. Humanity was lost in sinfulness and despair. Was God ever coming?
St. Bernard said we needed the most powerful assurance of all – an assurance that only God’s human presence could bring. And at Christmas, we received that sign. That baby in the manger gives us God. As St. Bernard puts it, “He reveals mercy, grace, peace. God himself … is in this baby, reconciling the world to himself.”
Christmas gives us Jesus, and Jesus gives us God.
A year ago – thanks to Jonathan Hilsden, tech guru, now Music Coordinator for St. Benedict’s Parish – we installed the hardware and software which now runs our daily livestreaming from St. Finnan’s Basilica. It has proved a great gift during the ongoing pandemic, as another door into our parishes. The livestream will continue, and is meant as another invitation to Come Home. That also happens to be the name of the video – The Call Home – that Jonathan and his team created last year for the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. Please consider viewing it, and sharing with your family and friends this year.
This week I also participated on a Zoom call to discern our best practices in using Formed. thank you again to all those who have already subscribed! it is free, and i invite you again look at their great content. this will help tremendously in the new year with Sacramental Preparations for new parishioners coming Home to celebrate Baptisms, First Communions, and Confirmations. much more will be available, so please stay tuned. the year-subscription to Formed is free for all our parishioners – our gift to you. Merry Christmas, and Happy Holy New Year.
