St. Mary's Catholic Church of Tomahawk, WI

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We are in the fourth week of Advent and it is also the week of Christmas. The first reading is a prophecy about the birth of the promised Messiah. King Ahaz and people should trust that God would be with the chosen people to deliver them when a virgin will conceive and bear a son who will be named Emmanuel.

The second reading tells us that God called St. Paul despite his thoroughly Jewish heritage, to preach to the Gentiles. He describes his own apostolic call as servitude or slavery to Christ and not to any kind of earthly ruler. Do we consider and submit ourselves as servants or slaves to Christ Jesus, our Heavenly ruler, for He is the only liberator, savior and redeemer who delivers us from the evil one?

The Gospel passage is about the angel’s communication to Joseph about the birth of Jesus as recorded by Mathew and the same passage for vigil Mass as well. Joseph and Mary’s betrothal was about to shatter his family due to her conception, but God’s angel assured him that all would be well. His dream renewed his peace and confidence in the Lord.

Christmas is the day of Joy, bringing Peace into the lives of every believer, with light shining in every dark corner of our lives, filling us with Hope of our salvation and enveloping us with the love of God, by the rebirth of Christ in our hearts on Christmas day. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EACH AND EVERY ONE. BLESS YOU ALL!!!

Fr. Aloysius Royan Anthony