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A Christmas Message from Bishop John M. Smith
Celebrating the Incarnation, the ultimate sign of God's love
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Christmas is an excellent time for counting our blessings and striving more than ever to learn to live our lives with hope and a generous heart.
In prayerful contemplation, we can see that the challenge of this season is in giving. We can be inspired by Mary to live our lives selflessly as we learn to be grateful to our loving God for His generosity to us.
Jesus was born in the manger at Bethlehem as the Word of God. He continues to dwell among us in all those who today make him present in the world. The marvel of Christmas begins with the generosity of God; God who loves and gives; God who nourishes and sustains. God in His goodness leads us always onward to find meaning and direction in our lives. Even when we live in difficult times of war, unemployment, recession, political tension, depression, darkness, and despair, Jesus Christ continues to be our light and our hope.
Christmas is the celebration of the Incarnation, the birth of Jesus Christ, true God and true man as a little baby in Bethlehem within the realm of history; "a baby like others but at the same time totally different". The incarnation we celebrate is more than an event in history. It is the source of our salvation. As we contemplate the Baby Jesus, we are looking at the One who saves us and shows us a way of living that fulfils our humanity, which allows us to become more fully human, living in the image of the One who created us. God's gift to the world that first Christmas gave us the Messiah, the Chosen One, whose every moment of life has been an example of grace and generosity.
Look in the beaming face of this child and see more than just momentary happiness. See for yourself a life of peace, joy, hope and commitment. Try to think for one moment how you could spread this face among your brothers and sisters in this great Diocese of Trenton; how you could give your family a deeper manifestation of love, how you could make your parish a better place of worship and community, how you could make this society a better one for all of us and for future generations.
In this Christmas 2009, we are invited to look beyond what we see, to put our faith in God and God alone, who will give us one day the fullness of joy, peace, and eternal life.
With prayers and blessings for you and your family I am,
Faithfully yours in Christ,
Most Rev. John M. Smith
Bishop of Trenton
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