God Rest You Merry

This Christmas of 2006 is my eleventh as bishop of our diocese. As our faith journey together enters 2007, we will remain united in FAITH, HOPE and LOVE as members of a vast worldwide throng of believers of every time and place.

The birth of our Savior FOR US and IN US is the central and decisive event in our lives. The Lord who abides with us, enables us to spiritualize everything by his GRACE.

GOD REST YOU MERRY!! LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY!!!

REMEMBER... CHRIST OUR SAVIOR WAS BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY...

For believers who welcome Jesus, NOTHING can dismay. For believers who remember and encounter Jesus in Eucharist, Sacraments, Word and in others have cause to be MERRY!

A SAVIOR has been born to you, the MESSIAH and LORD. (Lk 2,11)

The NEW ADAM... the LORD JESUS has been, is and will be, the life-giving LORD of his BELIEVERS. He is our SAVIOR, who continues to save and transform US. He is our MESSIAH, who reveals the Father’s love for US.

HE is our LORD who rules in us with gentle love. Thank you for these sacred and joyous Christmas celebrations. I thank our Lord for your FAITH, the source of your vision in our diocese. I thank you for your HOPE, the inspiration and sustainment for a host of initiatives in the mission of Christ in our diocese. I thank you for your LOVE which welcomes each person into the Family of God in our diocese. Your LOVE excludes no one; recognizes and bestows dignity; a love of humble and peaceful service.

We enter the New Year knowing in faith that - “THE VISION WILL NOT DISAPPOINT” (Hab 2,3).

The blessed BIRTH of the LORD in US is a true MERRY CHRISTMAS!


Gratefully in Jesus, Our HOPE,

†Carl F. Mengeling
Bishop of Lansing