Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki Archbishop of Milwaukee
Christmas Eve is all about last minute preparations. We just want everything to be as perfect as possible. We’ll be trying to get that last gift wrapped and mailed. We’ll be looking around for that special decoration which makes the table settings just perfect and we’ll be getting the kids ready for the family Christmas Eve service. We want to do the right things for everyone. I believe it’s the Christmas spirit which often removes the self-centeredness of our lives and turns it outward so that we care about the happiness of others. The day after Christmas the secular world dismantles everything that is a sign or symbol of the Christmas spirit. It is not profitable for businesses as the next holiday needs to be promoted. The world seems to be blinded to the real significance of the moment that is celebrated, God has become one with us, pretty spectacular if you think about it. However, the Church actually continues to celebrate the Christmas season after Christmas Day. We now must integrate the reality that the Son of God has become man which is a demonstration of His unconditional love. During the next week, as we enter the Christmas season, we celebrate the feasts of St. Stephen (26) St John the Evangelist (LOVE ONE ANOTHER) (27) Holy Innocents (28) Thomas Becket (29) and the Holy Family (29). Every one of these saints, with the exception of St. John the Evangelist, gave their lives in testimony to the love of God. Christ gave himself as a gift to us all; these saints shared the gift with others in joining their lives to his. Now in the days ahead, we keep the Christmas spirit alive, unwrapping the gift of Christ and trying Him on for size. Believe me, He’ll fit perfectly especially if we LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Note: This blog originally appeared as the December 24, 2013 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.
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