Archbishop Aymond and His Christmas Wish List

My Christmas wish list: Peace, joy, reconciliation
 Published on Tuesday, 16 December 2014

 Written by Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond

  | Dear sisters and brothers in the Lord: Today, we observe the fourth and final Sunday of this Advent Season, a time during which we reflect on the coming of the Lord, in the past as Jesus was born and in the future when he will come again at the end of time. Advent also calls us to see Jesus our Messiah coming into our lives every day. We need the eyes of faith to recognize him today as we prepare to celebrate worthily the great feast of his birth, Christmas. As we eagerly anticipate this celebration, young and young at heart make Christmas lists. I want to take this time to share my list with you. I wish to extend an invitation to all to join in the joy of this Christmas feast, a celebration of our salvation! I wish for those who have hurt family, friends, neighbors or strangers to seek forgiveness. I wish for those who have been hurt to forgive. I pray and wish that all of us on our faith journey may grow in our personal relationship with Jesus and live our faith in daily life. I wish that all who are away from the church will hear this invitation and come back home to the Lord’s table at Mass this Christmas. I wish for those who are burdened in life and have lost hope that they will come to know the love and compassion of Jesus. As we look at the signs of our times, we may think our world is not prepared for the second coming of Christ. We have wars and unrest across the globe. Here in New Orleans, we continue to face our “New Battle of New Orleans” against violence, murder and racism. In this peaceful season of good will, we all must pray to be a people of peace in our homes and our communities, now and into 2015. Let us pray for one another as we celebrate the great feast of the birth of Jesus! A blessed Christmas to you and your loved ones!

 Sincerely in Christ, Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond Archbishop of New Orleans

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From Clarion Herald