A Christmas Message from Bishop Daniel

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King! The words to this favorite Christmas hymn really say (sing) it all. First of all, what is the joy that is brought into the world? Well, in this case, it is not so much a what as a who. It is the Lord, Jesus Christ. Jesus, who is joy, has come into the world. He took flesh. He became one like us is all ways but sin. He is the game changer. He is the deal breaker. As the gospel of St. John reminds us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). In Jesus, there is a divine healing, hope, and joy that the world cannot give but only receive from Jesus as its Lord and King. This year, as we celebrate the season of Christmas, let us receive the joy that only Jesus can give to ourselves, our families, our parishes, and to the communities in which we live — in other words, to the world in which we live, move, and have our being. The invitation to all in this holy season of Christmas is simple. As the hymn proclaims, “Let every heart prepare Him room.” In your own heart, home, and neighborhood, prepare Him room, and Jesus will take care of the rest. And for the first time, perhaps in a long time, there truly will be joy in the world. 

May the blessings of the Christmas Christ come upon you and your loved ones,

+Daniel