Bishop Waldo's 2020 Christmas Message

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

Soon we’ll be in full celebration of the coming of Jesus into the world, born of Mary, and called by God as the Messiah, the Christ. I say “full celebration” even though we can’t gather as we have always gathered at Christmas. We can’t come and go, truly confident of our physical safety and wellness during this pandemic. Instead, we go cautiously and carefully. But I say “full celebration” because God is fully born in our hearts with the coming of Christ Jesus. Christ comes near no matter what is going on around us. Indeed, challenges and tensions filled the times into which Jesus himself was born. In our times, his presence is all we need.

“Fear not!” as the angel Gabriel proclaimed. “But rejoice!” For no distance from those whom we love can dim the fullness of Christ’s coming.

Whether you gather this Christmas with your family or close friends in person or online, my prayer for each of you is to be safe and filled with God’s richest blessings in this holy season.

And now, May Christ, who by his Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with his joy and peace; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.