For many people Christmas is a time to be with family and friends; it is a happy and, at times, a poignant season.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. We are familiar with the story, all the characters and the circumstances.
We believe something momentous happened in Bethlehem so long ago. The birth of the Son of God, Jesus from Nazareth, the Prince of Peace. It changed how God relates to us and how we relate to him. He is with us always, no matter what.
Peace on earth is the gift from God which accompanied the birth of Jesus. The angels sang “Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth.” Peace is one of the great wishes for this Christmas and the New Year about to begin. It is something precious that has to be sought out and worked at by each person, each family, each community, and each country. May the peace makers be successful in all areas of life.
I wish you a happy, joyful and peaceful Christmas.
Francis Duffy
Archbishop of Tuam
