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3 DENVER CATHOLIC | DECEMBER 2025 - JANUARY 2026 — all these things express the grandeur of the gift we have received. There is something profoundly right about celebrating Christmas beautifully. If God himself entered our world, if the Creator, the one who created beauty itself, chose to dwell among his creatures, then surely the only fitting response is one of wonder and joy! To celebrate fully, to dec- orate with care, to give generously and to rejoice together are all ways of proclaiming the truth that God is with us. The Incarnation reveals the heart of God's love. He did not remain far off but came close, sharing in our humanity so that we might share in his divinity. This is why Christmas is not merely a season of nostalgia or tradition, but the feast of divine love made visible. Every light we hang, every song we sing, every prayer we whis- per before the manger is a small echo of that cosmic joy. Mary's faith shows us how to receive this mystery. Her "yes" opened the way for God's light to enter the world. As we prepare our homes and hearts for Christmas, we are invited to echo her response and to make room for Christ amid our celebrations. When we gather around the table or kneel before the Nativity scene, we participate in the same wonder that filled the stable at Bethlehem. The Incarnation is not an event locked in his- tory; it is a living reality. In every Eucharist, the same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem becomes truly present among us: Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. The joy of Christmas, then, continues all year long in the life of the Church, where Christ still dwells with his people. This year, let us allow the beauty of Christmas to draw us deeper into the mystery it proclaims. Let our decorations be expressions of love for the Savior. Let our carols be prayers of thanksgiving. Let the light that fills our homes remind us of the eternal Light that no darkness can overcome. For "the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." That light has a name, Jesus Christ. He is our joy, our peace, our hope and our salvation. May the radiance of his love fill your homes and hearts this Christmas, and may your celebration shine brightly with the glory of the Word made flesh. May your light, Jesus living in you, bring Jesus to every encounter you have, whether it is with family, the homeless, the elderly, the sick, the immigrant, the imprisoned, the rich, the poor or the stranger. May your love for your neighbor bring each person to an encounter with Jesus. 303.468.9885 TheCatholicFoundation.com With Gratitude As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect with gratitude on the incredible impact your continued support has made. Thanks to your generosity, our parishes, schools, seminaries, and apostolates have flourished in their mission to serve. Your giving spirit is a beacon of hope, and we are honored to be the channel through which you share it. May this Christmas season bring you abundant love, lasting joy, deep peace, and a heart full of gratitude. Praying for you and your loved ones to have a blessed and joyful Christmas. Deacon Steve Stemper Deacon Tim Kenny Lisa Kukura Christine M. Hoyer