My Dear Friends in Christ,
I want to wish you and your families, peace and joy at Christmastime and throughout the New Year. During this past year, we have been celebrating a Jubilee Year. Together, we are pilgrims of hope. The People of Israel hoped, with an expectant waiting, the coming of the Messiah, the One who would set them free, the One who would be the fulfillment of all desire. The hopes of the nation, indeed, of all the nations, rested upon the Yes of a lowly handmaiden, a virgin, named Mary, who was betrothed to Joseph, a simple carpenter but who was of the House of David.
Creation waited expectantly for the Virgin’s consent, and when she offered her Fiat to the Archangel Gabriel, God’s plan for our salvation could come to fruition. In the fulness of time, born under the law, born of woman, the grace of God appeared to us, not in power or majesty. He came as a Child. The Word was made Flesh and made His dwelling among us. This is the Mystery we celebrate at Christmas – the Mystery of the Incarnation, which fills our hearts with wonder and joy, which makes the angels and the whole world cry out with joy.
The hopes of the People of Israel, from the powerful to the lowly shepherds, were fulfilled. The hopes of the foreigners, of all the nations, represented by the magi who came from the East, found their realization in the Christ Child. Christ is our Hope. Many people put their trust in power, influence, career, and wealth to realize their dreams, but our hope is in the Lord.
This year we have also been celebrating the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, which declared that Jesus was consubstantial, of the same substance as the Father. The One who came down from heaven and who was born of the Virgin was not a mere creature or intermediary but was truly God. He was true God and true man, consubstantial with the Father. By His power as God, He could save us and forgive our sins and reconcile us to the Father, but He would save us through the weakness of human flesh.
Interestingly, the Second Council of Nicaea, held in 787, dealt with the issue of iconoclasm. It permitted the use of icons and images of Christ, our Lady, and the saints, because Jesus, the image of the Father, had appeared. Saint Paul put it this way, in writing to Titus: When the kindness and generous love of God our Savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of His mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by His grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:4-7)
Christ is the Father’s gift to us. What better gift could we ask for or receive?!! During this season of giving, God’s immense love for us should warm our hearts to give of ourselves to others, especially to those in need. Christ offers us the gift of peace and forgiveness; this is a season to be reconciled, especially to family members from whom we have been distant or those who have hurt us. Instead of raging over injury, Christmas allows us to seek out new paths for peace. In an angry, war-ravaged and polarized world, Christ alone offers true and lasting peace.
The hymn “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” contains these lyrics: “Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
May these words of praise be on your lips during this Holy Season.
Commending you to the Most Holy Virgin, the Mother of God, I wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas!
Most Reverend Earl K. Fernandes
Bishop of Columbus
