Luke 2:1-20

The angel said, “Don’t be afraid!  Look!  I bring good news to you – wonderful, joyous news for all people.  Your savior is born today in David’s city.  He is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:10-11  (Common English Bible)

Brothers and Sisters,

Going through the loss of one’s mother on the eve of Christmas adds another dimension of grief to one’s heart.  I have also though experienced an extra measure of grace and assurance.  I was blessed with a mother whose life was grounded in faith in the Christ Child. She made sure that her children knew the love of God that came upon us on a resplendent night full of mercy and compassion.  As my family and I grieve the death of my beloved mother, Rebecca, we feel God’s sustaining presence holding us up.  It is of course the mighty work of God’s own Holy Spirit, but I give God thanks for a mother who helped us with tender love to seek the Lord, Emmanuel, God with us.  It was her greatest gift to us.

As I write this simple greeting to you I am thinking about all the children in the world, young and old, who may not have someone to help them know that we are all beloved of God.  I earnestly want them all to know that God watches over us and loves us all like a faithful mother.

And so I pray that you will have a blessed Christmas.  May the joy, love and peace of the Christ Child be born anew in your hearts.  May you be encouraged by the assurance that we are not alone, Emmanuel is with us.  And may I ask for one gift – that you join me in praying for all who have no one to lead them to the Christ Child.  Let us be mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters to a hurting world in need of the love of Christmas.

Can you hear the angels singing?  I hear them and I hear the voice of my mother among them!  Thanks be to God!

Joy, love and peace,

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño
Los Angeles Area Resident Bishop
The United Methodist Church