December 24, 2023

4th Sunday of Advent & The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ 

by Fr. Boniface Endorf, OP

Dear St. Joseph Parish Family,

Merry Christmas! Today we celebrate the birth of our Savior! Into the darkness of this fallen world the light of God has entered and offered salvation to each of us. Born today a mere baby, the King of Kings has come to save us from the tyranny of Satan and from death itself. Everything is different today because of one child born in the backwaters of the Roman Empire. That child would reclaim humanity for God and lead all who would follow Him to eternal life in heaven. We celebrate that today hope is born in a manger: darkness and despair no longer define our world. The Son of God has become man. 

Let us recommit ourselves to following Christ. Soon we’ll celebrate Epiphany, when the three wise men traveled to adore the infant Christ, and we too should spiritually journey to meet Christ and adore Him. We should marvel that God so loved us that He sent His Son to open for us the way to eternal life in God’s own house. All we need do is follow. The path is set. And so let us be merry and joyful as we follow the blessed way open before us in the person whose birthday today we celebrate. 

May you find many blessings this Christmas,

Fr. Boniface