Only three days to Christmas. Can you believe it? Time moves along more swiftly than we can barely endure during the latter days of this precious season!
With all this busyness, it is far too easy to lose focus on what Christmas is all about. Then we lose out on the deep personal benefits of daily contemplation of the fulfillment of the great promise that was made to mankind long, long ago. All Christians believe the promise was fulfilled with the birth of the infant Jesus.
Wonderfully, many non-Christians also delight to share in the infectious joy that this great Christian season spreads to one and all, regardless of creed. It is a spiritually and humanly magical time of love, joy, and true peace meant for everyone, but above all for those who have the greatest need of these gifts. They are the ones for whom Christ came.
There is a notably intrinsic connection in this yearly event to the celebration of life and family as Pope Benedict encapsulated in his message of Christmas on Friday, December 17 while thanking the Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone for their donation of the Vatican Christmas tree.
“The Christmas tree enriches the symbolic value of the nativity scene, which is a message of fraternity and friendship; an invitation to unity and peace, an invitation to make room, in our life and in society, for God, who offers us in his omnipotent love through the fragile figure of a Child, because he wants to respond freely to his love with our own love. Therefore, the nativity scene and the tree bring a message of hope and love, and help to create the propitious climate to live the mystery of the birth of the Redeemer.”
As we trim our Christmas trees and prepare the nativity scenes in anxious anticipation of the celebration of the birth of the infant Christ, let us reflect upon the words of Pope Benedict and be reminded of the fundamental message of our Christmas customs. As we make room for Christ, we are also making room for life, love, and family.
The lights that adorn the tree and surround the home are symbols of life and call us to be mindful of the mystery of the Holy Night. The tree, once surrounded by dark shadows, is now lit up and adorned with decorations as though it bears for us marvelous fruit.
As Pope Benedict commented on the Vatican Christmas tree in 2009, “it has transfigured and becomes the messenger of a light that is not its own but bears witness to the true Light that comes into this world.
“This tree’s destiny is also comparable to our own, for we are called to bear good fruits to show that the world has truly been visited and redeemed by the Lord.”
The Christmas tree helps us to further understand the conquest of light over darkness, of good overcoming evil, of life triumphing over death. And that also describes the mission of LifeSiteNews.
Like the Christmas tree, LifeSiteNews shines light into the darkness while illuminating goodness with our news reports, so that minds and hearts will be motivated and aided to make the world a far better place of justice, true peace, and love.
A world that works to lovingly accept all life and that treasures the natural family and a rich, deep culture that nurtures and protects these foundations of humanity, becomes a civilization of true love, beauty, and truth.
This is not only about Catholic or non-Catholic Christian or non-Christian believers. All can participate in forming this civilization, since it benefits all.
We witness the reach of LifeSiteNews work as we read the words of support from our readers from all throughout the globe.
From Singapore to Spain, Mexico to Iceland, Nigeria to Italy, and all throughout the United States and Canada, our readers are telling us how much our work is needed in their regions, and how our stories provide them with hope and encouragement, for they understand that we share in the similar mission of defending the dignity and sanctity of life and family.
And so, for those who have not yet donated to our Christmas campaign, please help us give the gift of light and life. Help us spread our mission throughout the world with a generous donation.
Our supporters have so far taken the campaign to a total of $92,374 towards our campaign need of $150,000. With 9 days to go we just might make the goal – if those who have not yet given a gift, generously join in.
Whether your gift is $5, $50, $100, $1,000, $5,000 or more, it will help us share the gift of light and life with the world. We finally did receive a larger gift of $5,000 gift this week, which gave us a much needed boost. Perhaps there are other readers who are able and willing to at least match it.
However, any sized gift is ALWAYS treasured for this work.
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Thank you for whatever you have or will do for the LifeSiteNews truth mission.
On behalf of all of us at LifeSiteNews, we wish you and your families a Merry Christmas. God bless.
Steve Jalsevac
Managing Director and Co-founder
LifeSiteNews
PS: U.S. donors can donate to LifeSiteNews to reduce taxable income for 2010 when you itemize your tax deductions. So don’t forget to donate before the year’s end!
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