Do not lose Heart

Dear friends

​​As Christmas draws near, the scriptures encourage us “not to lose heart” and to overcome anxiety through patience. We are asked to remember that the Lord is near, close at hand, and that His gentleness and peace will overcome any of our trials.

Perhaps the most beautiful image at Christmas is the gentleness and peace that we find when we meditate upon the Nativity scene. Jesus is at peace in the care of Mary and Joseph. His security is placed in the gentleness of Joseph and the beautiful heart of Mary His mother. Even the warmth of the animals and hay keep Him from being overcome by the bitter cold of winter. God, made a baby in Jesus, finds His peace in the love provided for Him by God our Father in his parents Mary and Joseph.

This is the season for peace. We can find this gift only in Jesus. Like Christ we only have to be patient and trust in God our Father to provide us with the security we need. God is with us always, Emmanuel, and we only have to search for Him and we will find that strength to face our difficulties that comes from trust in God.
The grace and peace that comes from a good confession is always the perfect gift of Christmas. We can be renewed in grace and strengthen our resolve not to lose heart and to become patient and gentle as Christ.

God bless
Fr Frank

Christmas Eve Mass Times:  
5:00pm St John Vianney’s Manly | 7:00pm St Jude’s, Gumdale | 7:00pm St Mary MacKillop, Birkdale | Midnight Carmelite Monastery Ormiston
Christmas Day Mass Times:  
8:00am St Mary MacKillop, Birkdale | ​9:30am St John Vianney’s Manly

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