For many persons, Christmas is a sad time, for these remember persons that have died or that are a distance away. For these persons, I want to reinforce the invitation to leave your heart open to welcome the Child God. Is this happens, even the absence of those we love so much, will change to have a new significance. Make the experience. This Christmas Season will be different.

There exist those that very much enjoy the Christmas season, because of feasts, meals, presents, lights…for these, allow the invitation to live a Christmas season centralized on the Child Jesus, who was born poor, however, within a true family. The greatest gifts that we can celebrate in this time are the persons that are at our side. Look and see that present God gave to you in your family.

Christmas also is a proper time for conversion. Whomever makes the experience of feeling loved by God, through the mystery of the Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ, ends up being impelled to respond with a life more open to love of God and neighbor.

I ask that God blesses you and gives you a Merry Christmas Season!

Monsignor Jonas Abib

translated from Portuguese