How deep God's love is for us

(en Español)

	Bishop David Zubik

December 22, 2006

My dear Green Bay Family,

"The shepherds said to one another:
Let us go, then, to Bethlehem
to see this thing that has taken place,
which the Lord has made known to us.'
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph
and the Infant lying in the manger." (Luke 2:15-17)

	C h r i s t m a s
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One of the most tender scenes in the new movie, The Nativity Story, occurs immediately following the birth of the Infant Jesus. With tears rolling down his cheek, Joseph could barely contain his joy at the birth of Jesus. As he cradles Jesus in his arms, he asks Mary how she is! Her answer: "I asked God for help. He gave it to me! And he gave me you!"

Clearly, as we celebrate the Anniversary of the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day, we celebrate that God has given us THE help for our salvation, the gift of His Son Jesus who is Our Saviour. What began in the little town of Bethlehem led to the empty tomb of Easter. Both the humble crib of Christmas and the empty tomb of Easter are profound signs of how deep God's love is for us.

But there is another important lesson in the story of Bethlehem! Just as Mary praised God for the way He was helping the world through Jesus, she also recognized the way God was helping her through Joseph.

	COME LET US ADORE HIM: St. Mary Parish in Appleton presents a live Nativity on the parish grounds featuring Mary (Lynn McCermott), a shepherd (Jaxson Hinkens) and the angel (Arin Kemps). Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ, our Redeemer, on Dec. 25, a Holy Day of Obligation. (Dick Meyer photo)

As you and I celebrate God's ongoing help to us through Jesus, Our Savior, we best not forget those people in our lives through whom God also gives us help. And finally, conscious of the fact that God wants to work through us to be a source of support, encouragement, forgiveness, generosity to others, you and I cannot underestimate how God wants to help others through us too!

We celebrate on Christmas Day the birthday of the Christ child. On that day and throughout the year I pray that you have many signs of God's help. But I also pray for you, and hope that you too will pray for me, that together we be open to the help that God wants to give to others through us!

Grateful for our belief that "Nothing is Impossible with God," I am

Your brother in Christ,

[signed]

Most Reverend David A. Zubik
Bishop of Green Bay