A Christmas Message from Father Alex

Note: each year, Father Alex Busuttil sends a Christmas message to supporters and friends. This year, we've decided to post his message on the Health Bridges blog. We hope you enjoy this message from such a remarkable man and partner of HBI.
 
The 25th of December is a special day the world over. A time of big celebration. Every country celebrates important historical dates like that of independence, end of wars’ anniversaries, celebrating national heroes, and so on; but there is nothing like Christmas. Perhaps business and materialism has taken over and made a huge economic and profit opportunity, but still the meaning of Christmas is unique.
 
Christmas is a milestone in the history of humanity. What we celebrate is God’s own intervention in the history of humanity by becoming one of us in human form. It is God himself who comes with a special mission. The mission of building His Kingdom on Earth, and all this starts on Christmas day. He becomes one of us in order to be able to communicate with us and show us the way to true fullness of life, in justice and peace; and that is where our question rises today. What are we truly celebrating in our Christmas celebrations? Do we really believe that Jesus is truly the God made man? Do we really care about His mission and message? It is wonderful to have the opportunity to get the family together, share nice food, exchange presents in a beautifully decorated environment, give plenty of hugs and kisses, reunions after long years of absence, and other wonderful things… but is Jesus present in our reunions? At times it happens that everyone is invited except Jesus. At times we do not even remember to say a little prayer on Christmas day or at least bless the food before we share it.
 
Once Jesus came, He came to stay. For those of us who believe in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, we are nourished with Him in every Eucharistic celebration. For those of us who believe in His Word, we are inspired and given life through His message. For those of us who believe in good will, justice, peace and the power of love, we have in Him a light and a path to follow. This is the true sense of Christmas celebrations and it transcends all human diversity of whatever kind. Jesus’s message is for all of us who make the human kind. The main message of Jesus is that of love of God and love of neighbor. This is the key to the Kingdom of God on Earth here and now, a kingdom of justice, peace and love. With Christmas we celebrate this revealing way to love amongst humanity. In Jesus it is God himself who shows us the way. It is up to us humans to realize the wisdom of love, forgiveness, humility and compassion. Let us put Jesus back in our Christmas celebration and talk of the bounty of his self and message and not just limit our festivities to the so called “Holiday season." 

Let us make sense of our hugs and kisses in an attitude of true welcoming, reception and forgiveness. Let us share our meals not just with family but also with those who lack it. Let us be generous in our giving not just with the exchange of gifts at Christmas time but let us be always there to give a helping hand to those in need. Christmas time is a remembrance of how different life can be if we act out of love, peace and good will. Let us remember that the people we greet on Christmas day are the same people all year round. Let us make Christmas the model of God’s Kingdom on Earth. Let the meeting with Jesus here on Earth be the prelude of our definite meeting with Jesus in the life to come. A life where we do not need anything because we’ll be one with God. Let us understand that all we have will be left behind. Let us understand that the more we have, the less others have. Let us open our hearts and welcome in them those in need… in need of a hug, a kind word, forgiveness, healing of body and soul, a piece of bread, a roof, a job… and all that means lots and lots of LOVE. Let us all with Mary repeat the words “Let your will be done”, with Saint Francis, “Lord make me an instrument of your Peace” and with our Missionary Society of Saint Paul founder Mons. Joseph Depiro, “Look always through the eyes of Jesus”.
 
United in one mission of building Peace on Earth through Faith and Service, may the blessings of Christmas fill your heart and all your loved ones with Peace of heart and the happiness not just on Christmas day but all the way through life, Amen.
 
One life, one legacy – Love. 
 
Fr. Alex – fralexperu@gmail.com

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