Archbishop Pinder's Christmas Message 2024

Our Liturgical Year is arranged around two great feasts.  They are Easter and Christmas.  Easter has its well-known Proclamation, which is sung at the Easter Vigil.  Christmas too has it own unique, if less well-known, Proclamation which may be sung or recited prior to Midnight Mass.  It outlines, beautifully, all the great events in the history of salvation beginning with creation and leading up to the birth of Christ.  It ends with these words:

 

"... Jesus Christ eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, conceived as man by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, after nine months of growth in the womb of his mother, was born of the Virgin Mary and for our salvation became man in Bethlehem of Judah.   Now in our own times this marks the birthday of Our Lord Jesus Christ after the manner of all flesh." (Proclamation of Christmas)

 

The famous Actor, Sir Anthony Hopkins, reflecting on who he called The Greatest Man in History, recited the following:

 

"Jesus:

            Had no servants, yet they called him MASTER.

            Had no degree, yet they called him TEACHER.

            Had no medicines, yet they called him HEALER.

            Had no army, yet kings feared him.

            He won no military battles, yet he conquered the world.

            He did not live in a castle, yet they called him LORD.

            He ruled no nation, yet they called him KING.

            He committed no crime, yet they CRUCIFIED him.

            He was buried in a tomb, yet he lives today.

            His kingdom is not of this world, yet it lives in the hearts of those
            who believe.

            He spoke of LOVE and FORGIVENESS and his words have                                               transformed millions.

            He offers no material wealth, yet we consider him the treasure of   

            our lives.

            He promises no earthly power, yet in his name the powerless

            have found strength.

            Though he left no written words, his message has filled countless   pages.

            In his weakness we find our strength, in his suffering, our salvation.

            He continues to invite us into a story of REDEMPTION, LOVE, and                                 ETERNAL LIFE.

            His name is JESUS CHRIST!”

 

The Prophet Isaiah anticipates the birth of Christ and captures it very simply if symbolically when he says: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.” (Isaiah 9:1)

 

The cycle of days and weeks and months has brought us to the celebration of Christmas once again.  We celebrate the birth of Christ.  We hold in firmest hope that Christ is the “light” of which the prophet speaks when he says that “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”

 

Darkness can visit us in many forms as we know so well.  It is always an uninvited guest.  Yet it can make itself present, unannounced and in an instant.  We had our share of it this year.  Just recently our nation was outraged and grieved at the senseless abduction, assault and brutal murder of a young schoolgirl.

 

Certainly, our community was shocked and even embarrassed to learn that a high-ranking law enforcement officer was apprehended and detained abroad and others along with him were all accused of committing very serious crimes for personal gain.

 

Yes, darkness in the most unexpected forms seems always to want to overshadow us.

 

Still, we have reasons to be thankful.  For one, we have been speared the destruction of hurricanes once again, thank God.

  

The light which guides us through the darkness comes in the form of good news.  The Gospel of Luke has an angel deliver the message in these words. “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.” (Luke 2:10ff.)

 

The birth of this savior is the source and foundation of all our hope.  This good news is what keeps us firm when faced with the many shades and shadows of darkness which visit us.

 

The great fifth century bishop, Augustine, knew this well.  Thus, he could write: “Scripture does not say that He will not allow you to be tried, but that he will not allow you to be tried beyond your strength.   Whatever the trial, he will see you through it safely, and so enable you to endure…. You are like a piece of pottery, shaped by instruction, fired by tribulation.  When you are put into the oven, therefore, keep your thoughts on the time when you will be taken out again; for God is faithful, and He will guard both your going in and your coming out.” (Sermo 256, 1,2,3, PL38, 1191-1193)

 

We too are the people who have walked in darkness and have seen a great light.  The good news announced by the angel is intended for us.   The savior born in the city of David is Christ and Lord for us too.  So, we rejoice at Christmas.

 

For Catholics, the Sunday following Christmas is the Feast of the Holy Family.  We think of the Holy Family, and we imagine Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus.  We recall the many trials they may have had.  The gospel gives us an example of their flight from Israel into Egypt and back.   All this was to protect the child from the violence and harm all to present in our world today still.

 

This time of year, it is fitting to think of our own families.  Thoughts of family evoke feelings of pride or anger or guilt or issues unresolved. Nevertheless, we should think of our families at this time.  Father, mother, sister, brother, these are not just words.  These are statements about relationships.  Relationships are important in our lives.  The most natural of our relationships is family.  Christmas is a time to remember and to be with family. Without condoning past offences, let us pray for the grace that heals painful memories.

 

One of the images we associate with Christmas is that of angels.  The Gospel of Luke presents their song of praise at the birth of Christ thus: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

 

In our worship we sing this song of praise throughout the year in that great hymn of praise we call the “Gloria.”  This is a solemn reminder to us that the spirit of hope and joy and generosity which we associate with Christmas should be a staple feature of our lives all year round.  Merry Christmas!

 

Devotedly yours in Christ,

 

Most Reverend Patrick C. Pinder

Archbishop of Nassau