A Letter from Fr. Tim

Dear Friends,
 
Christmas wisdom has been dispensed since just after Jesus’ resurrection I’m betting, so I thought I’d share a little of that wisdom I have found over the years with all of you.
 
Mankind is a great, an immense family... this is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas."
~ Pope John XXIII
 
The grace of God has appeared to all. Jesus – the face of the "God who saves,” did not show himself only for a certain few, but for everyone. Although it is true that in the simple and lowly dwelling of Bethlehem few persons encountered him, still he came for all: Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, those near and those far away, believers and non-believers… for everyone. Supernatural grace, by God’s will, is meant for every creature. Yet each human person needs to accept that grace, to utter his or her own "yes", like Mary, so that his or her heart can be illumined by a ray of that divine light.
~ Pope Benedict XVI, Christmas Proclamation, 2008
 
“If we want it to be Christmas, the Birth of Jesus and of peace, let us look to Bethlehem and contemplate the face of the Child who is born for us! And in that small and innocent face, let us see the faces of all those children who, everywhere in the world, long for peace.”
~ Pope Francis, Christmas Day Message, 2022
 
This holiday season, as you rejoice in the good news of Jesus' love, forgiveness, acceptance, and peace, I encourage you to show grace to those less fortunate, just as God showed it to us. By serving those in need and through other acts of love and compassion, we can honor God's goodness and affirm the immeasurable value God places on the sanctity of life. We remember the members of our Armed Forces serving to protect our country and secure God's gift of freedom for others around the globe. All Americans are indebted to these men and women and their families for their sacrifice, devotion to duty, and patriotism.
~ President George W. Bush, Christmas Message, 2008
 
I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. 
~ Charles Dickens
 
Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won't make it 'white'." ~ Bing Crosby
 
When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time.  Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs? 
 ~ G.K. Chesterton
 
May God bless you all this Christmas Season and beyond, with good health and much happiness.
 
      Fr. Tim Fairman