Good Tidings of Great Joy!

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” – Luke 2:10-12 The story of the birth of Christ is so wonderful and inspiring, it could have only been written by God.  From the very beginning of his earthly life, Jesus turned the world’s notions of power and privilege upside down, elevating the value of compassion and service beyond anything the world had known before.  Stepping down from the very throne room of heaven, he entered the world without dramatic fanfare; a child born to a humble virgin in a smelly and cramped stable. The Word became flesh. God became man.  The King of Kings arrived in a way that no one could have predicted. My favorite part of the story is just as inconceivable: the first birth announcement God made of Christ’s arrival was delivered to shepherds! In that day, shepherds were the lowest social class in the society; they were the poorest of the poor. No respectable citizen would ever invite a shepherd into their home – but God chooses those humble men to be the first to receive the joyous message of the Messiah’s birth! At Cross Catholic Outreach, we believe that the Lord has a special place in his heart for “the least of these” – men and women like those shepherds in the first Christmas story. As we work to share the joy of the Gospel with the poorest of the poor around the world, we do so knowing Christ came to proclaim good news to the poor, heal the brokenhearted and set free captive souls. He came to save the world – and we are blessed to be his instruments in that mission today. On behalf of our ministry partners overseas, we wish you and your family a very merry Christmas, and we thank you for empowering this work of the Lord!

-Catherine M.