College Chaplain 

Christ in Christmas and New Year!

Dear friends in Christ,

In the last issue, I wrote about our need to be fully alive in Christ as Christmas approaches, and we get ready for all the festivities that follow this season. Remembering that Christ is the reason for our celebration this season is essential. Christ makes us fully alive and conscious of our state in life.

The exciting thing about Christmas is the purpose for which Jesus was born, the reason He came. He came that we might have life—the God-life—to the complete, and Christ ushers us into the New year. Jesus didn't come to establish a new religion; neither did He come to show us an example of how to live the good life. He came to make us sons of God. John 1:12 says, "But as many, as received him, to them, He gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in his name."

God's desire was for us to have His kind of life; according to the Scriptures, His plan was for Jesus to give us this life. 1 John 5:11-12 says, "And this is the record, that God hath given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."

The Apostle Paul referenced something compelling and significant about the Christ-life in us in Colossians 1:26-27. He writes, "Even the mystery which hath been hidden from ages and generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." The Angel announced, "Glory to God on high and peace to people of Goodwill". Goodwill here can be interpreted as all who are truly alive in Christ. 

Have we ever tried to imagine what Christ living in us means? If Jesus Christ, who opened blind eyes, unstopped deaf ears, gave the lame new legs to walk, healed the maimed, and raised the dead, truly lives in us, what should that make us? It means we are invincible; we are supermen and bask in extraordinary joy, peace and love; we are victorious forever! This is what makes Christmas special; it’s Christ alive in us. He came for us, to live in us, and to live through us.

So let us use this Christmas to revive our faith in Christ Jesus. 

In Our Parish here in Griffith, we have on the 

22nd of December, 2nd rite of reconciliation by 4:00 pm.

24th of December – masses at 4: 00 pm, 6:10 pm & 10:00 pm

25th of December: 7;30am, 9:00 am (Italian), 10:30 am & 6:00 pm.

In Marian College Chapel, we have 

24th of December, the Masses are 4:00 pm & 6:00 pm

25th of December- 9:00 am.

I hope you have a spiritual, peaceful, and joy-filled Christmas and a fantastic New Year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.