A Christmas Message From The Archbishop: This Season Marks The Beginning Of All Our Joy

Most Reverend John F. Donoghue, Archbishop of Atlanta

Published: December 18, 2003

Dear Friends in Christ,

Although Advent marks the time of our calendar year’s end, in the Church, in the community of living Faith, the passing of Advent into the Christmas Season marks the beginning of all our joy, and the fulfillment of the hope of the world — the birth of our Lord and Savior, the Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

When the pure and unhindered flow of God’s love for mankind was broken by the sin of Adam and Eve, our love was fractured, and turned in upon itself. With the advent of the new Eve, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the new Adam, the Messiah Jesus Christ, God restores His perfect love as a choice for all mankind. He does this through the singular gift of Mary’s Immaculate Conception, granting to her a full share in the merits of the One she was to bring into life — and He completes the restoration of love, by giving to the earth His Son — born from Mary, by the power of His Holy Spirit, and so complete in His love for us men and women, that in time, He would suffer and die to seal the bond of our redemption. This love was given for us on the Cross, and is available for all time, renewed daily in the Most Precious Sacrament of the Eucharist, the gift of our Lord’s Body and Blood.

May the beauty, the memories, and the mystery of the events of the Christmas Season, reawaken in our hearts and minds, the grace we have received through Baptism, to choose to live our lives as children of God, and to strive, by works of charity, mercy, and self-sacrifice, to imitate in every way possible, the obedience of Jesus Christ and His Mother to the Divine Will. For by following their way, by living according to their example, we draw ever nearer to the perfect love of God, who reaches to us through them, and who one day, will send His Son again, to complete the redemption of the world, taking those who have proven faithful and worthy, into His everlasting Kingdom.

And finally, let us implore our Blessed Mother, who lived in solicitous vigil over the life of her Divine Son, at His birth and His death, to watch over us, during this time of joy, and protect us from all danger and harm.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend John F. Donoghue
Archbishop of Atlanta