Christmas spirit lies in helping those in need

Christmas message from Bishop George H. Niederauer, bishop of the Salt Lake Catholic diocese:

What headline best captures the birth of Christ for Christians? "Savior Born For All Nations" certainly expresses our faith in the meaning of Jesus. No brief caption says it all, but let me suggest a headline that tells an important truth about the birth of Jesus Christ, a truth that easily gets lost in a month of buying and spending. The headline? "Homeless Family Found in Shed."

Many of the teachings of Jesus spring from his love for the poor and his own experience of poverty. He pointed out the generosity of the poor widow; he told

parables about people headed toward debtors' prison; he bothered about penniless beggars when few others did. When Jesus described the final divine judgment of all women and men, it was in terms of whether or not they had fed the hungry, clothed the naked, sheltered the homeless and welcomed the stranger.

Jesus was not a social activist but a savior from sin, a giver of grace and eternal life, as well as the supreme expression of the Father's love for us. But as Lord he did teach that we cannot receive or return God's love unless we share it daily and concretely with one another, especially with those most in need of our loving.

So Christmas is not just an anniversary for us to mark and observe. Instead, Christmas is an invitation, a summons to become active and involved. This truth gives power to Howard Thurman's prayer, "Christmas Begins."

When the song of the angels is stilled

When the star in the sky is gone

When the kings and princes are home

When the shepherds are back with their flocks

The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost

To heal the broken

To feed the hungry

To release the prisoner

To rebuild the nations

To bring peace among the people

To make music in the heart.

May God bless all of you and your families in this Christmas season. Because of our gratitude and our generosity, may the Good News continue to be "Homeless Family Found in Shed."