Welcome to the Christmas ceremonies in the Catholic Parish of Hastings. Christmas, as always, is a wonderful time to gather as family and community and Catholics are no exception. We also rejoice, as many do, to show hospitality to others and so we welcome people of all backgrounds and faith traditions or none who wish to join us in this moment. The opportunity to rehear the Bible story is both a reminder of what God did over two thousand years ago but also how the Holy Spirit is at work in us today. Christmas forms part of the whole Church year. To this end we can understand that Jesus was not only born for us but also died and rose for us. Thus, the gift of Jesus is also the gift of life – a life that knows no end. It tells us that the love we give, the joy we share and the gifts we receive have meaning that goes beyond our tangible, finite and all too fragile physical reality. Saint Paul wrote: “But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” (Rm 5: 9) May you all receive the gift of God’s love this Christmas so that 2021 will be a year of hope and joy transformed by the amazing love of God.