Each year at Christmas, people will often share a letter that looks back over the year to share with loved ones some of the high moments of the past year, such as vacations, events in the lives of kids at school or with sports, or perhaps a new job or a graduation.
The thing of it is, while these letters are great, they also are, understandably, not too personal. For instance, a person probably would not write in a Christmas letter “I’ve been battling feelings of loneliness, I went to confession a few times but am still struggling with a sin I worked on last Lent, I’m worried about the future, and haven’t been to Mass in a while.” But while that would be a little awkward to send to extended family, I’d suggest it is exactly the kind of letter that God would like to get from all of us. And that’s because God knows us inside out.
As I’ve mentioned before borrowing the phrase from another priest, we are indeed the reason for the season. God chooses to become one of us because He wants to show us how much we are loved. And over the course of His life and ministry, Jesus will do that culminating with His Resurrection and triumph over death. We hear the words “the people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light” on Christmas. And my hope is that you open your eyes to see the light of God’s love in your life.
It starts by realizing God loves you, all of you. He loves the person who comes to Mass, but He also loves the person who may have an ongoing struggle or is a little rough around the edges. So invite Him into your life. Make Mass a regular part of your life if it isn’t. Pray each day. Pick up a Bible or do some spiritual reading, or use a helpful phone application like Hallow or visit some websites with reflection videos like “Word on Fire.” Come to confession a few times a year. Do an honest look at your life not just at Lent but every day, asking yourself what you might like to change and ask for His continual help, knowing you can’t do it alone. We do not know the exact date of Christ’s birth, but the feast falls right at the winter solstice as the days get ever so slightly longer from here on out. Little by little too the light of Christ needs to increase over the course of our lives as we develop an ongoing relationship with this God who is love.
With that, let others in. Find people you can count on and talk to them about what is weighing on your heart. It’s OK to speak about more than where you went on vacation to people – we need others to help us on our journey.
Lastly, never forget what a gift you are to so many. As you are aware our parish lost a man who was a faithful servant of God and who did so much just a couple of weeks ago, Bruce Falkenberg, who had served as sacristan for 45 years at weekend Masses, and been a part of committees, planning, the Knights of Columbus, and also served as acolyte, lector, and several hundred others things over the years. But above all else, Bruce to me was a beacon of hope – the virtue by which we bring God’s love into this world and change it for the better. Bruce did this through a million simple actions of love for his family and his parish, and never forget you do that too when you make a meal for your family, play a board game together with the kids, have a conversation, or volunteer
for your parish or community. You add all the little things up and what a difference they can make!
As we celebrate Christmas this week, I hope you have had a wonderful holiday with loved ones, continuing that this Holy Family Weekend. But as you come to Mass and see the Christ child in front of the altar, and gaze on Jesus in the Eucharist, remember always that even if you were the only person in the world, God still would have come for you because He loves you so much.
Have a very blessed Christmas Season!
Fr. Paul
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December 28, 2025