CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
from
Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald, M.Afr.
Patron
Fellowship and Aid to the Christians of the East
(FACE)
“In the beginning was the Word: the Word was with God and the Word was God.…Through him all things came into being… The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1: 1,3,14).
Will we ever come to grasp fully the wonder of this Feast of Christmas? That God, our Creator, should decide to come amongst those beings He has created; become human like us, become one of us. What a tremendous mystery this is.
The Prologue of John’s Gospel continues: “He was in the world that had come into being through him, and the world did not recognise him. He came to his own and his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believed in his name” (vv.10—12).
We live in a world that has little time for God. Eastern Christians in particular have, for centuries, lived in an environment where it was denied that God could be born a human. As we celebrate this Feast, let us remember them.
The Evangelist already stated: “What has come into being in him was life, life that was the light of men; and light shines in darkness, and darkness could not overpower it” (vv.4-5).
FACE wishes Christians of the East and all who, with FACE, are concerned with Eastern Christians a blessed Christmas.
We wish life to everyone, an abundance of life, enjoyed in freedom. We wish everyone light, in all its forms, so that darkness may truly be overcome. In the New Year and beyond we wish the gift of peace to all.
Michael, Cardinal Fitzgerald, M.Afr.
Reading
Letter to Titus, 2:11-14
Prayer
Meditations and Devotions: XVII The Infinite Perfection of God
by Saint John Henry Newman
In ipso. I believe and know that all things live in Thee. Whatever there is of being, of life, of excellence, of enjoyment, of happiness, in the whole creation, is, in its substance, simply and absolutely Thine. It is by dipping into the ocean of Thy infinite perfections that all beings have whatever they have of good. All the beautifulness and majesty of the visible world is a shadow or a glimpse of Thee, or the manifestation or operation in a created medium of one or other of Thy attributes. All that is wonderful in the way of talent or genius is but an unworthy reflection of the faintest gleam of the Eternal Mind. Whatever we do well, is not only by Thy help, but is after all scarcely an imitation of that sanctity which is in fulness in Thee. O my God, shall I one day see Thee? What sight can compare to that great sight! Shall I see the source of that grace which enlightens me, strengthens me, and consoles me? As I came from Thee, as I am made through Thee, as I live in Thee, so, O my God, may I at last return to Thee, and be with Thee for ever and ever.
Late Byzantine icon of The Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
Christmas Greetings
from all the team at FACE
Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald, M.Afr.
Patron
John Adam Fox
Chairman
and the Trustees of FACE
We thank you for your support to FACE
and wish you a blessed Christmas
and a happy New Year
In this season of peace and goodwill, may we all pray for an end to conflict and violence in the Holy Land and for the protection of the Palestinian Christians.
PLEASE SUPPORT
Our Emergency Christmas Appeal
Our charity, Fellowship and Aid to the Christians of the East (FACE), relies on donations to deliver its mission of helping Eastern Christians to remain in their homelands – the biblical lands – where Christianity was born and first spread.
Together with the local Christian communities, we aim to bring lasting change to those regions through education, healthcare, pastoral support and community projects.
We strive to preserve the heritage of the Eastern Churches so that Eastern Christians remain a living testament to the roots, legitimacy and beneficence of the Christian presence in the Middle East and the wider region.