Bishop’s Christmas message 2008

Beloved in Christ Jesus,

 

The challenge of the Christmas celebrations is not that of remembering what happened 2000 years ago in Bethlehem... but that of making that reality present here today by allowing Christ to be born again in our hearts, family and communities.

 

 

To become present and alive, to become part of the life of those who live next to us, of those who are alone, and to become for them a sign that God is alive, he was born and he is here for them, though us.

 

These are two deep mysteries of Christmas: Humility and generosity

 

God is with Us, Emmanuel, a mystery of incomprehensible Humility (He is God and born as a man)

He is here for you and me and for everyone: a Mystery of generosity (he is born to serve you through me and others through us)

 

How will we make Christ to be alive?Unless we can love more, Christ will not be born for us...

 

If we close our hearts to love, Christ was born in vain

Love: this is what Christ came to bring on earth

Love: this is what this frail child features on straw speak about

Love: this is what the humble stable speaks about

Love: this is the great message of the angels to all men of good will and good heart

Love: which does not put on airs, does not take up positions

Love: which makes itself available, at the same level, for service to the beloved in need

Love: which forgets itself for the happiness of the beloved

Love: which searches for, finds and serves those who suffer, cry or are lonely

Love: which gives without demanding a pay back

Love: which cannot be shut by ingratitude nor indifference

Love: which becomes availability and generosity

Love: which keeps the doors of one's heart open, no one excluded

Love: which understands, comforts and reaches out in total sharing

Love: which irradiates brightness, serenity, joy and peace

True joy, including Christmas Joy, Consists in making someone happy.

Then this Christmas will be a bright reference point in the night of our lives (Fr Giuseppe Quadrio sdb)

 

Love which conquers all

There is

• no difficulty that enough love will not conquer;

• no disease that enough love will not heal;

• no door that enough love will not open;

• no gulf that enough love will not bridge;

• no wall that enough love will not throw down;

• no sin that enough love will not redeem.

It makes no difference

• how deeply seated may be the trouble,

• how hopeless the outlook,

• how muddled the angle,

• how great the mistake;

a sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all.

If only you could love enough

you would be the happiest and most powerful

being in the world. (Emmet Fox)

 

There is no Christmas without Christ, no Christ without LOVE:

May Christ become alive this Christmas in me and you for others

 

HOLY AND JOYFUL CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!!

 

Your bishop who loves you with a Solomon Heart made in Italy