Dear brothers and sisters of the Claretian Family,
Christmas of 2022 arrives with new hopes amidst many challenges of our times. We celebrate the birth of the King of peace in the midst of enduring armed conflicts in different parts of the world and the repeated failures of dialogue to resolve rivalries among peoples. It is heart-rending to think of thousands of people in such situations living in anguish, hunger, and cold during this Christmas. In such a context, even the people of good will tend to fall into pessimism and loss of confidence in the divine dignity of each person. Once again, we welcome Emmanuel, God-with-us, to come to wake us up from our slumber, help us discover our true identity as Children of God and recognize all that is true and good around us.
For us Claretians, Christmas comes with a new spirit to keep the Dream of God for our Congregation (QC 43) alive in our minds and hearts and situate it within the Great Dream of God for Humanity unveiled at the first Christmas. The God of the Fathers who walked with his People along history made a new unbreakable covenant with humanity by uniting human nature to the community of the Triune God in the Son through the Spirit. Thus the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14). It was God’s Dream Project of love for the world to give his only begotten son that whoever believes in him may not perish, but may have life everlasting ( Jn 3:16). We can experience this new possibility of our own human nature by living as Jesus lived. Sin and selfishness that breed violence and death can now give way to life and love. It is the only way to end wars and install dialogue, forgiveness, and reconciliation as a way of life in human life.
Mary welcomed God’s project with her unconditional “Fiat” and became the first to walk the new path. At this Christmas, let us contemplate the two scenes of Jesus in her lap – baby Jesus and the pieta – and learn to walk forth with audacity.
To weave our small dreams into the great Dream of God for humanity, let us welcome the Word to become “flesh” in our fragile human nature through our words and deeds that manifest God’s love in the world.
Wish you all joyful Christmas 2022 and a blessed New Year 2023!
Fr. Mathew Vattamattam, CMF
