Merry Christmas!
“And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.”
Saint Thomas the Apostle
December 21, 2025
Dear Siblings in Christ,
Grace and peace to you! The Advent, the Coming of Christ is upon us this Christmas!
Saint Thomas, an Apostle blessed by being a part of Jesus’ life, was in a unique situation which led to his name being associated with a lack of faith. Being one of the Twelve Apostles, yet not with the rest of the group to witness Jesus’ resurrected presence, appeared to have doubted. A week later, while Thomas was present in a locked home, Jesus again made himself present. [John 20:24-29] I find it very powerful that when the Apostles are together, in community, sharing in the difficulties or joys of life that they find Christ present among them. Our community of faith strengthens the appreciation of the Son of God in our midst. The Light of Christ within us makes our Lord known to those with us, just as God’s love is made known in Emmanuel – Jesus who is ‘God with us.’ We bear the Light of hope and joy for others.
This season, many of us celebrate the Coming of the Lord with our families, with our church, and with close friends. A Holy Mystery unfolds as we find Christ’s presence more palpable as we share in the celebration. In Jesus’ Presence we find a greater understanding, a boundless peace, and a more abundant joy. God so loved the world that God sent his Son, who is “of one Being with the Father,” and who “became incarnate from the Virgin Mary” [Nicene Creed, BCP 358] to be all the more present with us in our humanity. Be one with our Lord in steadfast presence for one another.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Saint Paul shares with the Hebrews the sentiment that those in Thomas’ position might need to hear. Those who feel as though they are the last to see Jesus should lean into hope. Hope is strengthened in community, between each of us. Surely, we have seen! Together, we make known the hope we find in Christ. Together, we share the Light of Christ into the darkest corner of life. Together, we find Christ truly present among us. In our bond, “if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.” [1 John 4:12]
“The Light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not overcome it.”
A blessed Christmas to all! Live in love as Christ loves us. [Ephesians 5:2]
The God of Love and Peace be with you,
Fr. Michael
A Collect for Christmas Day
The Book of Common Prayer, 161
Almighty God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we, being regenerate and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
