December 2020
“When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth” (Lk 2,39).
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
A Holy Christmas to you all!
This year we approach the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus in totally unexpected ways – in isolation or quarantine and under uncertain conditions. For many of us this is the first Christmas when we cannot visit with close family and friends; we cannot gather around a communal table to share a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day meal; we cannot gather by the Christmas tree to personally share gifts nor receive them. In this new normal, caused by a worldwide pandemic, let us find safe ways to share heartfelt Christmas greetings with one another and to celebrate the spirit of the birth of the Christ Child.
Although the Covid-19 pandemic has brought forth many challenges for us, people have found ways to serve others and to form special bonds with those around them. The virus is everywhere, but we can defeat it with our joint efforts to spread love. Let us pray for strength from our Lord for all who are ill and for those who nurse and heal the sick. May they feel his Divine Mercy. Let us pray for all who will be alone during this time, that they may experience the joy of Christ’s birth through personal prayer or by joining others on the internet to watch streamed Masses and listen to Christmas hymns. Whatever our circumstances, may we welcome the newborn Jesus into our homes, just as Mary and Joseph did when they returned with him to Galilea to their hometown, Nazareth.
I pray that Lithuanians around the world, especially if you are unable to travel to your homes because of pandemic restrictions, may cherish your Lithuanian religious traditions and values in your hearts, wherever you may be. May your Christmas Eve and Christmas Day tables be laden with traditional foods. May your prayers for your homeland and relatives unite you with those far away. Let us also share our special Christmas traditions with the youngest members of our families. Through our prayers of worship, let us thank God for all He has given us. As much as we are able, let us continue to be Children of the Light (Jn 12, 36).
During the Christmas season we also celebrate the feast day of the Holy Family. In the Gospel of Luke ch2, v40, we are told that “the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.” This is also my prayer all of us: to be healthy, to seek spiritual wisdom, to be close to God and to believe that He has prepared our salvation.
I wish you a peaceful Christmas as well as blessings and good health in 2021.
Msgr. Edmond J. Putrimas
Lithuanian Bishops Conference Delegate for Lithuanian Catholics in the Diaspora
