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PARISH ARCHIVE |
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Christmas Letter |
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Father Sullivan's Christmas Letter was mailed to all of our registered parishioners during
Advent, 2004. |
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My dear Friends, Who is Jesus and what did He come to earth to do? This is a question we should be asking time and time again during the next few weeks as we are sending cards, buying gifts, decorating the Christmas Tree, baking cookies and so on. The question has a fundamental meaning. For Christmas is all about the celebration of the birthday of Jesus Christ, and Paul refers to Him as being the mystery of God. So that no matter what we may be doing this month of December, we are unable to truly celebrate the birthday of Jesus unless God reveals to us something of this mystery. God made man and took a long time preparing for the day when Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. He took centuries to prepare a people who would be ready to recognize and receive Jesus, The Messiah. the Emanuel. Our Spiritual preparation for Christmas requires basic reverence. Humanity is the at the core of spiritual preparation. The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem stands on the site of Christ's birth. It has only one entrance, a low narrow door, at which everyone must stoop to enter. Do you see the symbolism? You had to stoop to enter the Bethlehem stable. Stooping is the posture of humility, or worship, of subjection, helplessness and supplication. It is the only proper posture for creatures to approach their creator God. Christ tells us that God does not like us to have stiff necks (inability to bow) when we come to Him. Of course, I are not talking about physical bowing, but rather spiritual bowing - being submissive to the Almighty. When we are prepared to stoop, that is when we are spiritually prepared for the coming of Jesus. That is when we will be ready to recognize and receive the Lord Jesus Christ for who He really is. May God help us to make our preparations for Christmas so that we may grasp with our minds the wonder of what God has done for us, through His Son, Jesus. May our wills be so moved by God's spirit so that the virtues mentioned by John the Baptist may be restored in us, not by our own efforts but by His gracious entry into our lives. So that in true humility our hearts may bow before Him, truly celebrating Christmas. I hope that all of you will be prepared for Christmas and that your preparation will lead you to the celebration of Mass and the reception of the Infant Savior in Holy Communion. I look forward to praying with you in our parish church. As you know the Christmas collection is crucial to your church. I ask for the utmost generosity on your part according to your means. God bless you at Christmas and throughout the coming year.
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"Celebrating Our Second Century of Worship" |
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Copyright © 2003 - 2006 St. John Catholic Church. All Worldwide Rights Reserved.
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