Merry Christmas from the Maryknoll Affiliates

A Christmas message inspired by the poetic and contemplative style of John O'Donohue:

Amid the deep quiet of winter’s embrace, Christmas arrives as a luminous threshold, inviting us to pause and behold the sacred radiance woven into the fabric of our ordinary lives. In the stillness of these days, we are reminded that the light we celebrate was born not in grandeur, but in the hidden and humble places of the world. Like a single candle in the dark, it beckons us to awaken to the beauty that surrounds us, to the quiet miracles that unfold unnoticed, and to the deep connection that binds us to one another and to the Divine mystery at the heart of existence. This is a time to honor the promise that no darkness is ever final, that within every shadow, a new dawn stirs.

As we gather with loved ones or find solace in solitude, may the blessings of this season awaken within us a wellspring of gratitude and hope. Let the spirit of Christmas guide us to offer kindness where it is needed, to extend forgiveness where it is long overdue, and to carry forward the light of compassion into the world. In the shelter of this sacred time, may you feel the quiet strength of belonging, the soft healing of joy, and the tender renewal of your soul’s purpose. May the grace of this season, like a gentle snowfall, settle upon your heart and remind you that you are deeply held in the great rhythm of love.