Oh Emmanuel, Hear Our Prayers: A Christmas Day Reflection

I hope your Christmas morning is wonderful. I went to Mass at St. Augustine's Parish in New City, New York. It was beautiful and the music was amazing. 

As we gather this Christmas, it’s natural and tradition to ask: “Did you get what you asked Santa for?” But as we grow older, we realize the things we truly aspire to receive transcend the material. Gone are the days when electronics or toys satisfied our deepest wishes. Now, we find ourselves praying for peace—peace in our homes, our neighborhoods, our country, and across the world.  

It’s impossible to ignore the turmoil surrounding us daily: the conflict in Israel and Gaza, the ongoing war in Ukraine and Russia, and the divisions we see even here at home. Pain and resentment seem to weave through the very fabric of humanity, leaving us yearning for a reprieve. 

The name “Emmanuel”, as the Gospel (Good news) reminds us, means “God is with us.” It’s a profound assurance that Christ’s humble birth brings the peace and hope we desperately seek. His presence among us is the gift that promises healing to our broken hearts, our anxieties, and the seasonal struggles many face: depression, loneliness, and chronic illness etc.  

This Christmas, may the birth of Christ bring us all peace and joy. May His presence heal our wounds and remind us that, even in darkness, God is with us.  

He's here and it's with prayers that we will have the grace to open our hearts for him to come and dwell in us. 

May God bless you and Merry Christmas to you and your family.  

Pal Ronnie