Dear Friends in Christ At the heart of Christmas is the gift of the baby Jesus to Mary and Joseph, and through them to the shepherds in the fields and the wise men from the East. They all felt a new hope in the simplicity and beauty of this new baby and a great joy that warmed their hearts. This is salvation, knowing and experiencing God’s love for us through the goodness and mercy of Jesus. In most cases wonderful adults - parents, grandparents, guardians, doctors, nurses, police officers, and more - welcome, nurture, heal, protect, and save a baby in need or in danger. But in the Christmas message the baby saves us! We ask ourselves; how does such a little person save anyone? By giving our hearts a focus on the joy of a new person in our lives. By calling us to love and care for that little person. By reminding us of the goodness and dignity of our common humanity; the freedom and self-forgetfulness of generosity. In this case the baby is Jesus, God who saves us. It is this saving love we are called to give others. As St Paul explains: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against The Baby Saves ‘THE KING IS BORN’ EMERSON ECKERMANN ST BRIGID’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, GWYNNEVILLE YEAR 6 The Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition for Years 5 and 6 stu Sydney, designed to celebrate and explore children’s crea Congratulations to Year 6 Finalist, Emerson and Year 5 Highly C
another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3.12-14) The message of Christ’s birth calls us to open our hearts to one another, to extend a hand of love and friendship to those in need, and to strive for understanding and harmony in our communities. It is a bringing together of love for our common human family and any of our families that struggle with the upheavals and disappointments of life. Our world is often chaotic and divided by people who look with envy, bitterness, and hatred. Looking at the baby Jesus reminds us to look outward to each other with humanity, respect, peace, and kindness. As we rejoice in this celebration of Christmas, I want to personally thank each of you for your participation in our parish community. Your prayerful presence and your witness to Christ is a light and encouragement to all. Merry Christmas to you, your families, and all who are dear to you! VERY REVEREND BERNARD L GORDON VG VICAR GENERAL & ADMINISTRATOR December 2023 ‘TAKE A BREATH’ ELIZABELLE PULOU GOOD SAMARITAN CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, FAIRY MEADOW YEAR 5 udents is an initiative of the Catholic Education Offices in Wollongong and ative and artistic ability in illustrating the Christmas story. Commended, Elizabelle! Read more at: https://bit.ly/dow-art23
LUMEN CHRISTI CATHOLIC PARISH 36 Harbour Street, Wollongong NSW 2500 P.O. Box 874, Wollongong NSW 2520 02 4211 0500 | wollongong@dow.org.au | www.lumenchristi.org.au Visit: lumenchristi.org.au for our Christmas Timetable including Advent Reconciliation and Mass Times Come Home for Christmas
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