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Bishop's Message

Let us be ambassadors of the love that Jesus brings at Christmas

Dear Friends in Christ,

Recently in Baltimore, at our annual USCCB meeting, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with our new Apostolic Nuncio to the Holy See, His Excellency, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano. In just a few moments, I could see only too well some of the qualities that will enrich our Catholic Conference in the U.S. He is indeed, a wonderful ambassador of our Holy Father.

In days gone by, it was a custom of many nations to send their young sons to foreign countries to be immersed in the customs and temperament of another people. As a result, when the young person grew up he would be in a better place to understand both the customs of his own country and those of the receiving nation, to which he would be sent. At times, he might have the delicate role of negotiating treaties or trade agreements, or possibly even delivering confidential cables in a 'diplomatic pouch.'

With all the warmth, joy and wonderful smells that our up-coming Christmas season can provide, we will once again commemorate a great Ambassador who has come into our world. He has come to immerse himself in all things but sin. Having learned our traits, he has been able to share with us his background. God our Father has missioned his Son Jesus as a boy child to become a man like us, again, in all things but sin. He is the greatest Christmas gift the human family has ever received. In a mysterious gesture of birth, God shows himself to our time: a Father who loves, a Son who loves. What no other Ambassador could do, that Son loved enough to offer up his precious human life on Mt. Calvary to bring the love of the Father to us. As a response, the generous Father will seal this gift with the promise of the resurrection, not only for his Son, but for all who believe in his Son.

Christmas for us is people: extended and blended families, friends, perhaps even new coworkers and collaborators for some of us. But more, Christmas is a Person: Jesus Christ. Jesus comes to us to show us how to live by loving; how to grow by suffering, how to understand by just accepting. In greeting others with 'Have a Blessed Christmas', we actually become envoys of Christ, spreading not just Christmas cheer, but extending his loving concern. Perhaps someday world powers may come to recognize our envoy, our Ambassador Christ Jesus. Then truces can turn into lasting peace, and we can celebrate an Eternal Christmas.

May Our Lord Jesus, our Ambassador, born In the simplicity of the manger at Bethlehem and proclaimed by the angels in heaven, grant joy and peace to your families as we celebrate His holy Season.

Sincerely in Christ,