A great day of rejoicing is upon us

Greetings to my friends in Christ in this wonderful season of Christmas.

Culturally, the Christmas season is a time of gathering with family and friends, of celebrating our family and cultural traditions, and, in the cold days of early winter, to find the warmth of a loving God in the midst of our loving communities.

We gather around symbols, such as Christmas lights and trees and wreaths. And, we give and receive gifts, expressions of our love.

But, sometimes we forget that Christ Jesus is the brightest light, the greatest gift, the one that gathers us into the unbroken circle of God’s love.

Please, enjoy this wonderful Christmas season with Jesus in the heart of your families, your friends, your church community.

The prophet Isaiah proclaimed the great day of rejoicing when the lion would lie down together with the lamb and Emmanuel, God-with-us, will be in our midst.

In these sad days of coronavirus, may this Christmas season bring us joy, for a light has shone upon us. A child is born to us. A son is given to us. A savior has come to us. Salvation is ours. We have light and life because God has come into his creation.

May you have a safe and very merry Christmas!

Fr. Daniel Robles-Carvajal is the pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Poplar Bluff.