Christmas message from Bishop Wester

Intermountain Catholic

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At this time of the year when presents dominate our thoughts, it seems strange that so many of us are losing our ability to be present to one another. We are absorbed by computer screens, video games, iPods, iPads, iPhones and so many other things that have an "i" or "e" in front of them. And yet the main point of Christmas is the "present" that God makes of himself in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christmas celebrates God’s presence – Emmanuel means "God is with us." He remains almighty, all-knowing and omnipresent, yet through the incarnation he takes on our human flesh so that he can be intimately one with us. In Christ, God remains transcendent yet becomes fantastically imminent. He is so accessible that those visiting the manger that first Christmas night could hold a baby in their arms and kiss the face of God!

This Christmas, I pray that we will take a cue from our Savior and spend a little more time with each other: quality time, face-to-face time. I have no doubt that the gift of our presence will be far more appreciated than any present we might wrap.

To you all, my brothers and sisters in Christ, I wish a blessed Christmas and a peaceful New Year. I ask the Christ Child to raise his arms of benediction over all of us in the Diocese of Salt Lake City as we present ourselves to one another just as Christ presented himself to us that first Christmas, vulnerable and with boundless love.

Yours in Christ,

Bishop John C. Wester