Dear Sisters and Brothers of our Saint Joseph Family:

One of the modern crises many have faced is identity theft. Another person, invading our personal space, takes on himself our identity and claims access to what rightfully belongs to us.

Christmas is identity theft in reverse. The Lord lovingly enters our space and takes on himself our human identity - not to rob us of what is ours, but to give us a share in what is his: his identity as the Son of God. Christmas is that marvelous exchange: God becomes human so that we can become divine.

The true meaning of Christmas is IDENTIFICATION. Because Christ has so completely identified with us, we who follow him must seek to identify with one another. When we do this we work for the coming of the Kingdom Christ was born to begin: "a Kingdom of truth and life; a Kingdom of holiness and grace; a Kingdom of justice, love and peace." Only such identification can make Christmas real in our world.

May the peace, love, and joy of Christ's Birth be yours now and throughout the New Year.

Sincerely in our New Born Savior,