 --December 23, 2009 Dear brothers and sisters, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God...all things were created through him... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.” John 1:1,3,14 The birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the Word of God. Astounding. Utterly amazing. No one could ever make up a story like this. It is just too outrageous. So heartwarming and yet it seems so unbelievably good. Can I believe this news that offers such hope? The One who is Creator of all things, knowing full well that we could do nothing to restore relationship with him - could do nothing to unbend our twisted and broken images - would come to us. Knowing that we could not and did not have the creative power to be made new, to be if you will, born from above - willingly gave up his glory, his greatness, his almighty power, as God, to help us. The Creator becoming one of us. Totally on our side. For us, not against us. Jesus humbled himself in love to rescue you and me and all of his creation. And this Christmas as we celebrate His birth, let us tell all the good news that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us! And He is still among us in his Holy Spirit. Still touching and healing and saving lives, one person at a time. Can we believe this good news? The answer is yes, and we know it is true because he lives in us and continues to transform our lives by his love and is continually reaching out in love to those who do not know Him! This year through our Discovering Christ courses we have seen many people come to personally know the good news of God the Father’s love for them through Jesus our Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit. Changed lives from the inside out, because of what Jesus has done for us! We are so grateful to each of you for helping us to advance the mission of making him known! As I close let me share a section from a book (the Hour of the Unexpected) by John Shea that sums up well how we should respond when we lay hold of the good news: "She was five, sure of the facts, and recited them with slow solemnity, convinced every word was revelation. She said, "They were so poor they had only peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to eat and they went a long way from home without getting lost. The lady rode a donkey, the man walked, and the baby was inside the lady. They had to stay in a stable with an ox and an ass (hee-hee), but the Three Rich Men found them because a star lighted the roof. Shepherds came and you could pet the sheep but not feed them. Then the baby was borned. And do you know who he was?" Her quarter eyes inflated to silver dollars. "The baby was God." And she jumped in the air, whirled around, dove into the sofa and buried her head under the cushion, which is the only proper response to the Good News of the Incarnation." May each of you have a joyful and peace-filled Christmas season and may many of your family and friends come to know the wonders of his love this Christmas! May the blessings of God our Savior be with you! Your brother in Him, Dave end of year updates Please consider make a year end contribution. We need your financial support and are so thankful for prayerfully considering giving to us at this time! Join us for a Mass of Thanksgiving Sunday, January 17 at 2:30 at OLPH, light refreshments and a time of fellowship will follow Mass. Please RSVP.
Watch the “known universe" YouTube. It is absolutely breathtaking to consider the breadth of the created universe and to know our Creator who has come among us, who loves you very personally.
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