Abp. Aymond: Christmas unveils ‘the human face of God’

Dear Young Church, my sisters and brothers in Christ,

I hope Santa Claus has gotten your list, checked it twice and will be able to give you some of the things that you have asked for. Just remember, though, that there are some things that Santa may not be able to give you right now, and so you have to believe in his generosity and his care. 

More importantly, Christmas is the feast of the birth of Jesus. Our God has become one of us by being born of Mary. He looks like us, speaks like us and has eyes, ears and feet like us. He is the human face of God and has taken on our human nature. 

It is an opportunity for us to celebrate Mass on the Feast of Christmas. Please make sure that you are able to do that on Christmas. You not only give praise to God, but you also receive the Lord Jesus, who was born over 2,000 years ago, lived, suffered and died for us, and now has risen from the dead. You receive the Risen Christ each time you go to Communion. 

As we reflect on Jesus’ birth, we realize that he was born as an innocent, helpless child. Mary and Joseph loved him and took care of him, even though the only place they could find after the birth was a dirty barn with animals running around. It is a sign of his simplicity and being born of poor parents. We thank God that in the quiet of the night, Jesus was born and has become for us the light of the world. 

Please make sure that under your Christmas tree is a Nativity set. This is something that was started many years ago by St. Francis of Assisi. Christmas has no meaning if we do not remember the birth of Jesus. As the saying goes, “Keep Christ in Christmas”; otherwise, it is just another holiday. 

Wishing you God’s blessings, I am a brother in Christ,

Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond
Archbishop of New Orleans









(Photo by Beth Donze, Clarion Herald)