NYC Letter: Merry Christmas 2012

NATIVITY (1440-1441)
by Fra Angelico (c.1395-1455)
[Picture source: GFMER]

Parvulus enim natus est nobis filius datus est nobis et factus est principatus super umerum eius et vocabitur nomen eius Admirabilis consiliarius Deus fortis Pater futuri saeculi Princeps pacis

Isaiah 9:6 (BSV/KJV)

The birth of Christ challenges us to reassess our priorities, our values, our very way of life. While Christmas is undoubtedly a time of great joy, it is also an occasion for deep reflection, even an examination of conscience. At the end of a year that has meant economic hardship for many, what can we learn from the humility, the poverty, the simplicity of the crib scene?

... He brings hope to all those who, like himself, live on the margins of society. He brings hope to all who are vulnerable to the changing fortunes of a precarious world. From the manger, Christ calls us to live as citizens of his heavenly kingdom, a kingdom that all people of goodwill can help to build here on earth.

Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger,
Benedictus PP. XVI, Vicarius Iesu Christi,
265th Pope of the HRCC,
reflecting on Christmas
OP-ED December 19, 2012 (FT)

At the birth of Christ, an angel said to the shepherds, "nolite timere", fear not. Were he making the rounds today, he might say, "Do not despair," or "Do not be depressed," or "Do not cringe," or, in our case, "Get on the stick."[Pause.] We wish we were heartened.

The Pope enjoins us to stay engaged in a troubled, often vicious world. OK. Sometimes the Christmas message is more grit than cheer.

Beati pauperes spiritu quoniam ipsorum est regnum caelorum

Matthew 5:3 (BSV/KJV)

At least that has the prospect of cheery outcomes. And on that cheering note [Deep breath.] time to heavily spike the eggnog and get on with the business at hand -- seasonal wishes to our minuscule readership.

We have few skimmers, fewer readers, commenters and correspondents are fewer still. No one goes unnoticed, no one's contributed mite goes unappreciated. E-N! thanks everyone who has shown an interest in the site this year and years past. To all of you from all of us at E-N! best wishes for a happy, holy, and safe Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!

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