I hope you’re more excited than you’ve ever been for Christmas — more excited than when you were a little child waiting to open your Christmas presents. The excitement I’m talking about is not primarily an emotion but an expression of faith. It’s not based on Christmas presents but on Christmas presence. The Lord is present. We can see Him setting the captives free, healing the sick, and working miracles (see Lk 4:18). We sense His presence within us, as He purifies our hearts and turns them to Himself. We see the Lord present in the Church, His Word, and the sacraments.

Although our sins blind us to His presence, we experience His presence sometimes and know by faith that He is with us always, even “until the end of the world” (Mt 28:20). Today, although we may feel as if we have a hundred things to do, we should stop everything for a while. If we let Him quiet our hearts, we will understand the words of the hymn “Silent Night.” When all is calm, all will be bright with a deep awareness of God’s presence. As we sit quietly at Jesus’ feet (Lk 10:39), the business and busy-ness of Christmas which have left us jaded will give way to an awareness and awe of Christ’s presence. We will be as a little child (see Mt 18:3). We will enter the kingdom of God and be excited about Christmas.

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from December 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 14, 2020"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.