Dear Friends of St. John the Baptist,

       Long after the Christmas Season comes to an end and we put away all of the decorations we associate with this time of year, I pray that we will continue to preserve the Spirit of Christmas throughout the coming new year.  Just because we pack away the Christmas stockings, trees and ornaments doesn’t mean we have to pack away the true meaning of Christmas, which should be carried in our hearts forever.  If we reduce the meaning of Christmas to the external things we do like buying presents, attending social gatherings and decorating, but overlook things like; generosity, peace, goodwill, joy, friendship, and forgiveness, then like the Grinch or Ebenezer Scrooge we haven’t captured the true meaning of Christmas.  So, while we might pack up and store the Christmas lights, we should never put away the light of the Christ-child that wants to burn brightly in our hearts.  And more than ever, our world needs the light of Christ to shine forth to dispel the darkness of evil and sin.
     So, may the light of Jesus, the newborn King, shine brightly in you for all the world to see this Christmas and coming New Year.  And may God bless all of our St. John the Baptist parish family with His peace and love.  I pray in thanksgiving for you, and all our parishioners, every day.  Merry Christmas!  And, may God bless us, one and all!

Fr. David