There is no Christmas outside of God

BELIZE

The following is the full text of Bishop Lawrence Nicasio’s Christmas message to the Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan.

“We will get through this together!” announces the voice of hope. Together, we celebrate Christmas during a pandemic! Together, with adherence to all restrictions and protocols, we protect each other from the continued ravages of the coronavirus.

This spirit of togetherness is needed as we find ourselves in the same boat. Together, we assist those who are unemployed, as well as those who are affected by the flood waters. When these persons are satisfied and are happy, we too feel satisfied and happy.

Many persons are concerned about what kind of Christmas they will have without the necessary money to buy all the usual stuff for the house and for each person in the family. Many persons are concerned about what gifts they will be getting this Christmas.

Christmas during a pandemic is a great reminder to us of the true meaning of Christmas. To all this Christmas, I say: “Ask not what others will give you for Christmas, but ask rather, what you can give to others.” When we all do the right thing, we all become satisfied and happy together. We all win!

In the spirit of togetherness, I want to mention again to you the words of Pope Francis in his recent encyclical Fratelli Tutti: “Once more we realized that no one is saved alone; we can only be saved together” (p. 24).

The true meaning of Christmas reminds us that we do have everything we need to have a blessed and Merry Christmas 2020. The gift that we are and who we are to each other, united with our dignity as persons created by God is all we need to share with each other in this our common home; and this is precious.

As our God has done, we too, must do. As He has given, so we too must give. Our Christmas gospel tells us what He has already done and given to us, not what He will do/give or is about or soon to do/give. Says Scripture, “The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light.” And, “For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.”

Every Christian Christmas must be blessed, must be merry and bright. As we sing our Christmas hymns together, we must do it in the spirit of that Great Light; we must do it in the spirit of Him who is our Saviour. We must sing our, ‘Oh Come All Ye Faithful’ in the spirit of Him who has saved us together. He, who is Christ and Lord!

The COVID-19 vaccine is here, so is Jesus who is the Lord of Christmas and the Lord of all humanity. We who have prepared for Him embrace Him, not in a spirit of selfishness and greed; not in a spirit of envy and hatred; but in a spirit of generosity and love. God is love and she/he who abides in God abides in love. God is about us, loving us to the end. We too must be about Him, for there is no Christmas outside of God. To all of you who have journeyed with me, who have prayed for me and have supported our Church, I say, a blessed and glorious Christmas to you and to all your loved ones! In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!