One-on-one interview: Aymond talks importance of Christmas, forgiveness, acceptance
Dec 25, 2015
During a one-on-one interview, Archbishop Gregory Aymond spoke about the importance of Christmas and shared some of his favorite memories.
"One of my favorite images of Christmas is also, and I remember this as a child, the Santa Claus kneeling at the crib and giving his praise to the newborn Christ," Aymond said.
For many, the Christmas season is a time of reflection. Aymond, the head of the Catholic Church in New Orleans, wants to remind people that the true meaning and spirit of Christmas goes back to a powerful, yet simple, story.
"Humanity had gone astray from God, had become unfaithful to God, had sinned. But God didn't give up on humanity, and he wanted to save us and to send a messiah, and so he sent his son as a poor, small dependent baby that was born among animals in a barn," Aymond said.
The story of love and reconciliation fits in with what Pope Francis has asked the Catholic Church to concentrate, reflect and pray in 2016 deemed the "Year of Mercy."
"During the Christmas season, as well as throughout the year, we are called to see Jesus as the one who comes into our lives and forgives us and to try to embrace more fully this mystery of God's mercy," Aymond said.
Aymond said forgiveness doesn't stop with others. He said the same God calls on people to forgive themselves.
"I dare say that all of us carry around something that we need to let go of -- that we haven't forgotten ourselves for something in the past" he said.
"And if we do that, if we really truly accept the forgiveness of Christ, if we forgive ourselves, then we are empowered to forgive others," Aymond said.
He said that includes family members.
"It is an opportunity to look at our families and say, 'Who is it in my family that I have pushed aside or given the silent treatment to? Can I give mercy and forgiveness to them?'" he said.
While Christmas brings about a spirit of joy, there's not denying that some carry a spirit of fear during this season. It's a fear that grows with each instance of violence, community dissension and terrorism. Aymond said people must strive to be the peacemakers of our time.
"Wherever there is violence in a community, it's not really accepting Christ. It's not accepting his message. And so in this community, we need to find the things that bring us together and not the things that divide us. And there are many, many ways in which we can be brought together," he said.
Aymond said there will always be differences of opinions on many topics, like the city's Confederate monuments, but that people need to see beyond the differences. He said God calls people to unity, to respect and to really see the dignity of every person whether people agree with them or not.
"One of my favorite images of Christmas is also, and I remember this as a child, the Santa Claus kneeling at the crib and giving his praise to the newborn Christ," Aymond said.
For many, the Christmas season is a time of reflection. Aymond, the head of the Catholic Church in New Orleans, wants to remind people that the true meaning and spirit of Christmas goes back to a powerful, yet simple, story.
"Humanity had gone astray from God, had become unfaithful to God, had sinned. But God didn't give up on humanity, and he wanted to save us and to send a messiah, and so he sent his son as a poor, small dependent baby that was born among animals in a barn," Aymond said.
The story of love and reconciliation fits in with what Pope Francis has asked the Catholic Church to concentrate, reflect and pray in 2016 deemed the "Year of Mercy."
"During the Christmas season, as well as throughout the year, we are called to see Jesus as the one who comes into our lives and forgives us and to try to embrace more fully this mystery of God's mercy," Aymond said.
Aymond said forgiveness doesn't stop with others. He said the same God calls on people to forgive themselves.
"I dare say that all of us carry around something that we need to let go of -- that we haven't forgotten ourselves for something in the past" he said.
"And if we do that, if we really truly accept the forgiveness of Christ, if we forgive ourselves, then we are empowered to forgive others," Aymond said.
He said that includes family members.
"It is an opportunity to look at our families and say, 'Who is it in my family that I have pushed aside or given the silent treatment to? Can I give mercy and forgiveness to them?'" he said.
While Christmas brings about a spirit of joy, there's not denying that some carry a spirit of fear during this season. It's a fear that grows with each instance of violence, community dissension and terrorism. Aymond said people must strive to be the peacemakers of our time.
"Wherever there is violence in a community, it's not really accepting Christ. It's not accepting his message. And so in this community, we need to find the things that bring us together and not the things that divide us. And there are many, many ways in which we can be brought together," he said.
Aymond said there will always be differences of opinions on many topics, like the city's Confederate monuments, but that people need to see beyond the differences. He said God calls people to unity, to respect and to really see the dignity of every person whether people agree with them or not.
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