As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we are reminded that the reason of the season is Jesus because He is the source of lasting joy, steadfast love, profound peace and infinite mercy. The whole purpose of His birth is to bring freedom, justice, truth and salvation to us not only in the future but here and now. He restores wholeness to our fallen world and brings healing to our wounded humanity. He is the perfect image of God’s love. He said, “There is no greater love than this: laying one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). He fulfilled that on the Cross. As we welcome the New Year 2025, we are called to embrace four important messages that will guide us in this new journey. They are the power of faith, the joy of the coming of Christ, the importance of community and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The power of faith is revealed in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is a great figure of faith. Elizabeth said, “Blessed are you who believed that was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Luke 1:45). The annunciation to Mary by Archangel Gabriel happens in her home at Nazareth and she believed. Instead, the annunciation to Zechariah happens in the temple and he doubted. That is why, he became mute. Mary believed because she shows a receptive and believing heart. The intervention of God requires a receptive and believing heart because it is a space in which God makes things new. The joy of the coming of Christ is manifested in the visit of Mary to Elizabeth. The infant in her womb leaped for joy upon the greetings of Mary. She is the bearer of Christ and therefore she is the bearer of joy. It is a joy that the world cannot give. God is the source of lasting and real joy. The importance of community is revealed also in the visit of Mary to Elizabeth because she stayed with Elizabeth for three months to serve and support in her pregnancy. We are at our best when we serve one another because service is love in action. The fourth message is the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist, Elizabeth, Mary and all the saints were filled with the Holy Spirit and their lives were never the same again. The Holy Spirit is the agent of transformation empowering us to love the way God loves and to live fearless lives. As we welcome the new year, we are called to learn to be humble and obedient like Mary and Jesus and to give birth to Jesus in our hearts.
Happy New Year!
YEAR OF LOVE
