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The Scripture passages about the birth of Jesus are some of the first I ever learned by heart (something I can thank Charles Schulz for). “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is one of several Christmas programs I watched each year growing up and, as a kid, I loved memorizing all the lines in my favorite movies.
Despite knowing all the lines, however, and watching the program several times each year— even to this day with my own children— there was something I never noticed until a few years ago after it was pointed out to me.
When the character Linus is onstage to tell everyone what the true meaning of Christmas is all about, he has his trusty security blanket in his hand until the moment he shares the words, “Fear not.”
Then, without his blanket in his hand, he continues on from Luke’s Gospel:
“... for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’”
The significance of the dropped blanket is as easy to miss as it is profound. Jesus frees us from our fears. He is our sense of security. He invites us to let go of whatever false sense of security we might be grasping onto, and instead wrap ourselves in his love and mercy.
As we prepare to embark on a New Year, let Linus inspire us to leave our own “blankets” behind, and step into 2023 more fully trusting in the Lord alone. In doing so, may we be inspired to help others along the way, as is so beautifully illustrated in many of the stories highlighted in this issue of FAITH Saginaw.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Erin Looby Carlson - Editor of FAITH Saginaw
In this Issue of FAITH Saginaw, please take time to read more about Walking with Moms in Need and when you’re done, share it with someone else.
This issue's cover story is, "Loving women as God does: Ministry aims to walk with pregnant moms in need.
Also included in this issue:
- Feature - Simple request turns into a community of blessing
- Special Report - Christ's Mission Appeal: How your gift serves others
- In the know with Father Joe
- Area religious orders welcome new perpetually professed sisters
- Christmas - A Kid's Christmas
- Kindling for the Fire
- Habits of the Heart
- Faith Matters
- CCFMM wraps up 2022 with nearly $1 million in disbursements
You can read this issue and past issues online at: https://saginaw.org/faith-saginaw-archives.
FAITH Saginaw magazine is a bi-monthly publication mailed to registered parishioners across the Diocese of Saginaw and funded by your contributions to Christ's Mission Appeal.
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