Bishop Conley: Christmas shows God is with mankind

Last updated on: December 24, 2012 at 11:02 pm by CNA Daily News

Bishop Conley: Christmas shows God is with mankind 2012-12-24T23:02:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Lincoln, Neb., Dec 24, 2012 / 04:02 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Bishop James D. Conley of Lincoln, Neb., says Christmas shows that God is truly with mankind despite the evils of the world, which means Christians must “find the miraculous amid the ordinary.”

“Christmas declares that our world is not insignificant. Christmas declares that we are worth being loved. Christmas affirms that God walked among us in the person of Jesus Christ; that he loves us enough to become like us, to suffer, and to die,” Bishop Conley said in his Dec. 21 column in the Southern Nebraska Register.

“Through the Incarnation, Christ shows us the true value and dignity of everyday life. Christ shows the possibility of overcoming the sin that leads to tragedies like the murders in Connecticut last week.”

The bishop said that the murder of 20 children and six adults in a Newtown, Conn. elementary school Dec. 14 makes some people “doubt that a God of total love could tolerate the existence of such evil.”

However, Bishop Conley countered that God's love is “beyond measure” and in his eyes “small things, simple things, are beautiful.”

“That is why the maker of the farthest galaxies reaches out to us with the hand of a newborn child,” he said.

“We are small, but greatly loved by God. Our world is flawed, but not beyond redemption. And Christ has lowered himself to our level in order to raise us up to his, for all eternity.”

Bishop Conley wrote that Christmas challenges those who believe that God is “far from us,” but it also challenges believers who do not live as if God is near.

“We must learn to see things as God does. To him, nothing is insignificant and no one is forgotten,” he said.

“Like the shepherds on Christmas night, we are called to find the miraculous amid the ordinary. The greatest mystery, God’s love for us, always lies hidden in plain sight. Nothing is ordinary when seen in light of the Incarnation.”

He encouraged Christians to find Jesus in “ordinary” places like daily work and in their neighbors and in the poor.

“Grace is there – and everywhere else,” Bishop Conley said.

“God’s transcendent goodness and beauty are not far-off abstractions. The one who has faith, and an open heart, can find them everywhere.”

Previous Post

December 21, 2012

Children's music group wishes world Merry Christmas

Next Post

December 25, 2012 In Christmas message, Pope extends Christ's peace to the world

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much ____; apart from me you can do nothing.

Select your answer to see how you score.

Faith Peace Joy Fruit