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     I write to you in the Spirit of Christmas, holding you close in prayer and love. My hope for you on this sacred Christmas Eve is that you feel deeply loved and surrounded by the compassion of our ever-present God.

     This year has been a challenging one for so many, and my heart aches alongside yours. Over the last nearly four years, I have been honored to hear your stories and share in your experiences as you’ve opened the door to let me in. For that, I am profoundly grateful.

     Please remember, while some steps in life’s journey must be taken alone, you do not face the entire path by yourself. I am here to journey with you as life allows. It doesn’t have to be a journey of action—it could simply be a time of being together, creating space for what you carry in your heart. If you are weighed down by emotions you’ve been quietly bearing—fearful of what might happen if you release them—know this: you don’t have to carry them alone.

     This Christmas, I invite you to release those hurts, those sorrows, into God’s loving hands. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the light and love of this world, we are reminded of the depth of God’s love for us. Jesus, through his divine nature and human experience, and his mother, Mary, who bore and raised him, both understand the challenges life brings. They know our struggles and are with us.

     At the same time, let us also celebrate the joys we’ve experienced this year, no matter how small. Cherish the memories created with loved ones and friends, holding them close to your heart.

     May the light of love shine upon you this Christmas, warming your spirit and reminding you of the boundless care of our Divine Parent, Counselor, and Caregiver.

Wishing you peace, love, and hope this Christmas and always.