The Most Revd Jerome Lloyd, Titular Archbishop of Selsey’s Christmas Message for 2024AD to the clergy and faithful of the Old Roman Apostolate.
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
Dear Faithful,
As we celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we are reminded once again of the eternal truth of the Incarnation: God became man to save us from sin and to reconcile humanity with Himself. In this divine mystery, the heavens rejoice, and the earth is renewed, for in the Christ Child, born in Bethlehem, we find the fulfilment of God’s promise to His people.
Yet, as we look upon the world today, we cannot fail to see the grave dangers that threaten both the faith and the moral order. Across the globe, we witness the rise of ideologies that seek to undermine the truth of Christ, erode the sanctity of life, and dismantle the family, the fundamental unit of society as ordained by God. These are not mere political or social trends but manifestations of a deeper spiritual battle—a battle between the forces of good and evil, between Christ the King and the prince of this world.
The Crisis of Our Time
In many nations, the faithful face persecution, not only through overt acts of violence but also through insidious efforts to silence the Church and marginalize her teachings. The growing secularization of society has led to a rejection of divine law and an embrace of relativism, whereby truth is replaced with opinion, and virtue is mocked as intolerance. This crisis is not confined to any one nation but is global in scope, affecting every corner of Christendom.
Even within the Church, we face challenges that test our fidelity to the Gospel. The forces of modernism and compromise have infiltrated the sacred halls of our Holy Mother Church, sowing confusion among the faithful. It is in times like these that we must stand firm, clinging to the immutable truths of the faith as handed down through Sacred Scripture and Tradition.
The Light of the Nativity
Yet, amid this darkness, the light of the Nativity shines forth. Christ came into the world not in power or wealth but in the humility of a manger. His birth is a call to reject the false promises of the world and to embrace the eternal hope found in Him alone. As the angels proclaimed to the shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will” (Luke 2:14). True peace and justice can only be found in the reign of Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
A Call to Action
This Christmas, I urge you, dear faithful, to renew your commitment to the faith. Strengthen your families in prayer and devotion, for the family is the domestic church and the first line of defence against the errors of the age. Stand boldly for the truth, even when it is unpopular or difficult. Do not be afraid to proclaim Christ as the only Saviour of mankind and the sole hope for our salvation.
Let us also remember to pray fervently for the persecuted Church, for the conversion of sinners, and for the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The times in which we live are challenging, but we know that the ultimate victory belongs to Christ, who reigns now and forever.
As we kneel before the manger, may we entrust ourselves fully to the Lord, seeking His grace and strength to remain faithful in all things. May the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph inspire us to live lives of holiness, sacrifice, and love, as we await the day when He will come again in glory.
With my apostolic blessing, I wish you a most blessed and holy Christmas.
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