As we approach Christmas – the Feast of Emmanuel.
 Christmas 2025 is almost upon us and what a joy it brings; the joy of being together, parents,   children and grandchildren, all sharing, giving, and receiving. It is important that we take time out to celebrate what we have and to give thanks for those who are dear to us. We live in the sure and certain hope that when we gaze on the light of Christ, the Son of God, the star of Bethlehem, all our dreams will come true.

The true spirit of Christmas must always remain with us because it speaks to us of love and peace, forgiveness and reconciliation, sharing richness and bearing burdens. The human heart needs Christmas. Indeed, the human mind would probably have created it had he not come. But isn’t it great! He has come! He, the Son of God, in the person of an infant Child, came to a cold, dark   stable to satisfy the needs of the human heart and to draw us all to the brightness and warmth of his Father’s home. And so we celebrate, we give thanks, we share. We thank Jesus, for lighting up our Christmases, for giving warmth to our homes, for bringing us together as a family to celebrate. Stay with us, Lord  Jesus, always!

May every home in our parish experience the joy of Christ’s coming among us and may that joy  be shared with all the members of our families, especially with those who come home for     Christmas. May the light of Christ shine in your hearts and home and may the warmth of His love heal any wounds or hurts. May those of our dear ones who cannot make it home for Christmas hear from us a word of love and an assurance of prayer. We will keep those who are grieving the loss of a loved one this Christmas very much in our thoughts and prayers. Be assured that the   merciful love of the Infant of Bethlehem encircles your dear one in an embrace of peace. We  remember too all of you who are sick and in hospital. May you experience the love of Jesus as your dear ones visit you over the Christmas period.

To those who day after day, week after week, serve our parish community as members of the   Pastoral Council, School Boards of Management, Parish Finance Committee, Sacristans, Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Basket collectors and Distributors of Envelopes, Caretaker and members of the Community Employment Scheme, we say a sincere “thank you.” Your   dedication and service are greatly appreciated.

And so as we enter the Christmas period may we discover the surprises that God’s love has in store for us and the warmth of his welcome. May those blessed days allow us to see the love of God shining through the windowed hearts of all of God’s people. The message of Christmas is one of Hope and a better way. The one who lay in the crib also knows the pain of the cross. He is   Emmanuel, God with us. He welcomes us. May we welcome Him.

In a few weeks from now the decorations will come down and we will pull the plug on the   Christmas lights. The toys will be forgotten – but the light and love of Jesus Christ will continue to brighten our pathway as we enter a New Year, confident that He will make all things new and  fulfil our desires.

A Happy and Blessed Christmas to all of you and every blessing and good wish for 2026!