Merry Christmas to all - our board members, our staff, our donors, our readers, our friends from all walks of life and all over the world. What an amazing year this has been!

Before we moved from Michigan to Orlando, we had a dear friend and prayer partner share with us a picture that had come to her mind for us: it was a huge gift box with a big ribbon, and my husband and I being squashed underneath the package!

That picture truly sums up our experience since we have moved here. What a gift - but the pressure that accompanies such huge opportunities can be very great, sometimes so much so that we want to chuck the whole thing!

But our friend told us about this picture with one sentence of requirement: "You must remember that it's a GIFT."

This has been the struggle of our last year-and-a-half.

Maybe your year has been similar. Maybe you have moved through some heavy stuff, some daunting requirements, some pain or fear or loss that has threatened to steal away your knowledge … that life is a GIFT.

I know in my heart that there is no better time of the year than Christmas to remedy such things … and also, that Christmas can be extremely difficult for many of us emotionally.

I am there with you. Let's pray for each other as the holiday arrives, shed the tears we need to, share the laughter we need to, and allow the imperfect planning to be as it is and not hinder the joy of the holiday. If you are alone, reach out. If you can't help being alone, reflect upon your blessings (there are always some). And remember, above all, that being alive is a GIFT to be shared.

If you saw The Nativity movie this week, you'll remember that Mary mentioned that we all have gifts to share. Share yourself, as you are, small as your gift may seem, with someone else - not out of obligation, but because YOU are such a joy and will bring joy to another. And let the peace of the Baby and His willingness to endure what He did for our sakes be your inspiration.

Merry Christmas to all!

The Bishops