The angel reassured the shepherds that the birth of Jesus, our Saviour, means, “great joy for all the people” (Luke 2.10).

Canadians will celebrate with joy the Sesquicentennial of Confederation next year—150 Years of Canada!

We rejoice at the foundations laid by our forebears—our clergy, religious, and lay people—who have built our wonderful Catholic legacy of churches, institutions, and service.

We rejoice that, from earliest days, the Church of Alexandria-Cornwall has cared for the orphan, the widow, and the stranger.

In joy, Christians see Christ in the marginalized, the captive, and the elderly.

Pope Francis advocates joy, notably in his encyclical “The Joy of the Gospel” (Evangelii gaudium) and his exhortation “The Gladness of Love” (Amoris laetitia).

The pope calls us to renew our encounter with Jesus. Joy will then flow into our encounters with others at home, at work, and in society generally. We will be “missionary disciples” to the lost, suffering, and broken people in our diocese.

Spontaneously, we rejoice at the sight of a newborn child. Each baby demonstrates God’s creativity and goodness.

How much more joyful is it to contemplate the birth of Jesus Christ! Through it, God shines the light of his love into the darkness of the world.

The true joy of Christmas is the gift of eternal life Jesus has given us through his Cross and Resurrection. We celebrate this miraculous event begun on a dark winter’s night two thousand years ago.

Mary and Joseph experienced the joy and the challenges of family life with the birth of Jesus in humble circumstances. Love and wonderment met in this tiny child. Today, we also meet Christ in our family. In times joyful or difficult, he is brought to birth in our homes and hearts.

This Christmas, may the example and intercession of the Holy Family—Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—enrich your family with the gifts of peace, mercy, and joy!

Merry Christmas!

✠Terrence Prendergast, S.J.
Apostolic Administrator