Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Literally, the Mass of Christ. Today the Church and the Christian world celebrate Jesus Christ and the moment God stepped down from heaven - so that we might return to heaven.

Today, hundreds of thousands of people will attend Mass for the first time this year, the first time in a long time, or the first time ever. We are overjoyed to have you with us at Mass, whether you are a parishioner or not, Catholic or not, you are welcome here. Together, we step into a history of over 2000 years celebrating the birth of Christ with a Mass. Gathering here with our family, neighbors, and community brings us into a deeper relationship with God and each other and that is a gift.

Christ came not in an overwhelming storm of wind and fire, nor on the wings of angels, or anything extraordinary that might be fitting for the God of the Universe. In fact, one of the most remarkable things about his birth was his family's poverty. The God who willed galaxies into existence comes simply, humbly, and meekly, as a baby, so that we might know him.

There is no personal space with a baby. As the father of four young children, I've come to terms with this. If you have a baby, people will want to hold the baby. If you let them hold the baby, they will often want to snuggle the baby, putting their faces close, eyelash to eyelash with the newborn. It seems a natural instinct to draw near to something so innocent, to surround it with love and care. As we age, that kind of closeness and intimacy doesn't go away, but is reserved for those we love and are closest to.

There is something beautiful about this specific kind of intimacy. In fact, the word in Latin to describe it is the same root that describes the mission of Christ on earth... and our response: Reconcile. The word "reconcile" breaks down into re (again), con (together), and cilia (eyelash/small hairs). When we say Christ came to reconcile the world to himself - we are saying he was born to bring humanity back, eyelash to eyelash, with God. In the sacrament of reconciliation, the faithful exercise free will to return to intimacy with God. Where sin separates, reconciliation brings back together.

Your challenge this Christmas, reflect on the closeness that God wants with you and respond to it. Then rejoice because today, Love steps down from Heaven to draw us close!

Cheers and God Bless.