Prepare to receive your greatest Christmas gift – Jesus!

Dear Young Church,

As we approach the great celebration of Christmas, I have two suggestions as your older brother!

• First of all, please use well this season of Advent. It is a time when we focus on the coming of Christ. We remember that he was born of Mary 2,000 years ago. He will come again in glory at the end of time, and that same Lord Jesus comes to us in our daily lives.

Advent is a time for us to “look and see” the presence of the Lord in our everyday lives. Yes, he is with you at school, he is with you at home, and he is with you in your various activities at school and in your neighborhood. We ask for the eyes of faith to see him during Advent, too.

• Let us remember that the real meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus. There is that saying, “Keep Christ in Christmas.” We want to make sure that as God’s Young Church you focus on Christ and his birth.

Christmas celebrations are surrounded by Santa Claus, gift giving and many other celebrations. Let us remember that in our gift-giving, we not only give gifts to others because we care about them, but in so doing, we remember that it is the season in which we celebrate the greatest gift of all – the Lord Jesus Christ.

I hope that your Christmas vacation is a time of blessing and relaxation. Please give my prayers to your family and wish them a very blessed Christmas for me.

Your brother in Christ,

Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond
Archbishop of New Orleans