Most Rev. James F. Checchio: Let us embrace God’s desire to be with us
Most Rev. James F. Checchio
Having just arrived in New Orleans last month, I guess I am the new kid on the block, and I am grateful to be able to share a few words about Christmas and what this celebration means.
God’s greatest desire is to be with us. It is true. He made each of us, knit us together in our mother’s womb, and He desires to be with us here and forever. That is why He sends His Son to us; that is why we have Christmas. God desires to be with us!
This is such a wonderful time of year as we celebrate this event which changed our world forever — the birth of our Savior. Yes, Jesus’ coming changes everything. Christmas is also the reminder that the answer to the world’s problems and our own needs is found in one person, the person who is at the center, the very heart of all reality: Jesus.
The meaning of all our life’s choices comes from knowing, loving and serving Him. There is no substitute. Even though many have tried, and still try to find, a substitute, the truth is that there is none. We place our hope and trust in One, Jesus, who comes to us anew on Christmas.
We have to let our Christmas celebration soak in, deeply, so that the Christmas Season may continue to live in our hearts throughout the year. Let us celebrate the arrival of our Savior with all our hearts. Let’s make an effort to share the hope we have from Jesus with everyone we encounter each day. As we look around our world, we know there is a need for hope. Let us recommit to nourishing this hope in our own lives through encountering Jesus, especially in our gathering to worship on Sundays.
My brothers and sisters, there is no thing, no person, no possession in this world that can take the place of knowing Christ, born to us, and loving Him. May this new year be a blessed time for us all, a time of deepening our commitment to Jesus and being His presence in our world. This will change our world and make it a better place, the place that God created it to be.
I am delighted to now be living with you in southeastern Louisiana. I am grateful for the warm welcome you have given me and the joy with which Christmas is celebrated here. I am grateful to be working with all people of good will, and grateful that Jesus has put us together on this blessed mission!
Know of my prayers for a blessed Christmas and a happy, healthy and holy 2026 for all!
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