"This Christmas I Wish You, JESUS!" Dec 23, 2021

This Christmas I Wish You, JESUS!

With deep joy and gratitude, I extend to you my prayerful best wishes for a holy and blessed Christmas. 

During the Advent Season, it has been my prayer that each of you would find opportunities to reflect on your own faith and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. Whatever it is that our hearts and souls desire, whether we realize it or not, our ultimate desire is Jesus Himself, for this reason, we are filled with joy and consolation at Christmas to know that all that we hoped for has been fulfilled in the person of the Christ Child.
Several years ago, I received a Christmas card with this message: “This Christmas, I wish you Jesus.” On the inside it read: “Isn’t it nice to have everything!”

There are so many details that surround the celebration of Christmas that it is easy to miss the meaning. Christmas is not about the parties, the presents, or the poinsettias. It’s not about the food, the festivities, or even about family. It’s not the greenery or the garland; not the Christmas cards, credit cards, or carols; not about tinsel or traditions.

That fact is this: Christmas is solely about God. Christmas is about God fulfilling His promises, saving His people, coming to us — as one of us — in Jesus. The truth can be so easily missed: Christmas is nothing but Jesus. And if Jesus is not in Christmas, then Christmas is nothing at all!

In the midst of all our current challenges and concerns, the love of God the Father is made manifest to us in the wonderful gift of His Son, Jesus. With the angels in Bethlehem, our faith moves us to sing: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to His people on earth!” We recognize that true peace on earth flows from our recognition and praise of God in our lives.

Christmas has a way of bringing to Church individuals and families who, for various reasons, have not been to Mass or the Sacraments for months or years. What a wonderful and grace-filled opportunity to put aside past differences and old habits and begin anew that prayerful relationship with the Lord and His Church community. I extend to all of you an open, grateful heart of welcome. Together, may we grow in strength and grace to know and celebrate together God’s presence in our lives and His dominion over all things of this world.

May our Lord Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, bless you, your families, and loved ones at this blessed time of hope and grace. May Mary, the Mother of the Child Jesus and our Mother, watch over you and our beloved Divine Mercy Parish always.
Merry Christmas! I hope to greet each of you in the Church. May Christ abide in your hearts always!

Fr. Robert T. Cooper, Pastor
Divine Mercy Parish and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School