We all long for Christmas to stay longer, maybe even forever, don’t we?There is something so special and magical and mystical about Christmas. Maybe that’s because Christmas isn’t primarily about ‘something’ but about ‘Someone’. This year I had a revelation like never before. Being Italian, family–la familia–is everything, but what struck me is that as great as family is, Christmas is NOT family, Christmas is the contagious presence of the person Jesus. And it is He who makes our family functions meaningful, purposeful and happy.

I heard the following summary of the beauty of the Christmas season by Father Cedric Pisegno, that gave me just the boost I need to go through the next year with courage, confidence, hope and love.

It is the Christmas Season:

This Christmas many think, “What difference does Emmanuel make?”

For us believers, “What a difference Emmanuel makes!”

We celebrate the birth of Emmanuel, which means “God with us.”

Since God is with us, he makes all the difference in the world!

Because he is with me, I can:

Grieve well. Face the future. Let go of the past. Deal with difficult people. Live with peace. Have hope. Be strong. Face my challenges. Live with purpose and meaning. Forgive and live. Be spiritual. Love myself. Live with Passion. Realize my potential. Change, grow and become. Make a difference. Be reborn. Love others.

Emmanuel is born. The world will never be the same. We need time to embrace this truth and let it change us.