The story of Christmas deals with the love of God and the value of man as the dear child of God. What has revealed the love of God among is that the Father has sent into the world His only-begotten Son, so that being made man, He might by His Redemption give life to the entire human race, and unify it. At Christmas, we celebrate the fact that, for reasons beyond our understanding, strangely and wonderfully, God gave to men the best that He had. “God so loved the world as to give His only-begotten Son.” Stumble and falter as we may, we can never be completely afraid again. We can be sure of God’s love, for He has given us His dear Son. In God’s sight no one of us is lost or hidden in the millions of men. He sees us and loves each of us as if there were no one else.

Christ was born in a stable, bleak and barren. Mary and Joseph had little to give Him, but no one was happier or wealthier than they. Jesus lived with them. He was the life and light of their world and from Him came the love and laughter of their Christmas.

We may not have wealth or wisdom. But since the first Christmas we have a right to light and life, the clear light and the full abundant life that only Christ can give. To give us life, “the Word was made Flesh” and from then on the world is filled with joy on Christmas Day.

Most Reverend Thomas A. Donnellan

Archbishop of Atlanta