The Message photo by Megan Erbacher
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us …” (John 1:14)
Each year, we celebrate the mystery of God becoming man, the wondrous joining of divinity and humanity. As well, we are reminded that this event is not merely a historical event of a far-off past. Rather, the blessings of the first Christmas of some 2,000 years ago are just as present to us today as they were to Mary and Joseph in the stable of Bethlehem. Christ has forever united Himself to human nature and, in turn, has made it holy. Through baptism, we are sanctified as members of His Mystical Body, and we carry within us the grace that was poured upon human nature in the Incarnation.
This season offers us much hope. Just as God became man in the Incarnation, so we have the potential of soaring to the heights of sanctity through the grace of Jesus Christ, God-made-Man, especially through the Eucharist and the other sacraments. In a privileged way, as we begin this Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope, there are many opportunities offered to us to deepen our relationship with Christ and to feel and share the renewed hope of His merciful love. As Pope Francis has reminded us, “‘Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors for Christ!’ In the infant Jesus, God invites us to be messengers of hope.”
May the Christmas season and the entire Holy Year of 2025 be a time of spiritual renewal for you, your family and your parish. Let us always remember that what happened in a cold and damp stable in Bethlehem continues to be a miraculous event that manifests itself in our lives and in our world, even to the present day.
Through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, may Christ, Emmanuel, fill your heart with His love, peace, hope and joy this holy season. Be assured that you will be remembered in my Christmas Masses.
On behalf of Bishop Gettelfinger and the entire Diocesan Staff, I wish you and your loved ones a blessed Christmas and New Year.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Joseph M. Siegel, DD, STL