Christmas and New Year Greetings from Fr. General – Paulus Budi Kleden, SVD

SVD Mission

Christmas and New Year Greetings

12 December 2019

Dear SVD Lay Partners,

Shepherds, going about their daily business, tending to their everyday work, were caught off guard by angelic visitors who foretold of God’s good will toward humanity. They responded to these words and hurried to Bethlehem to see a baby in a manger. Worship, paying homage, offering gifts and going to see Jesus, that were the aspects what they did a long time ago in Bethlehem, for the Christmas event.

Doing our daily works with diligence, truthfulness, social concern and moral integrity is wonderful way of living our Christian life. But added to that, we always ask a question, what else does God want more than my daily work schedule or my life schedule or my family chores? Well, listen to the angelic voice or inner conscience, many surprises would arise. In this Christmas season, the inner voice might tell that practice love in its full meaning. This is what Christmas is about, “God loved the world so much that he sent his only Son to redeem the world” (Jn 3:16). Jesus has come to the world to show love, to spread love and to live love and to communicate love. We love Christmas because it was here that God’s plan for us to be made right with him began to unfurl. Jesus is the best present for all of us.

As SVD lay partners, what does the angelic voice tell at this time? Let us listen, let us respond, let us act and everything is to be done in love. It is said, “If I love, I will hurt others, but if I don’t love, I am dead.” Love cannot remain with my daily duties or not only the family chores but expanding to others, reaching out to others and embracing them in love. This is the beauty of lay partners in mission, spreading the love of Jesus, spreading the Word through our modest gestures. In this globalized and materialistic world, spreading love through our simple acts of kindness could be lightening stars.

Christmas is the time of sharing love with our dear ones, sharing love with the excluded and marginalized. What gifts can we bring in this season to our family members and others? Sharing often multiplies, serving often reinvigorates and reaching out always has regenerating effect.

I am so happy to greet you in this Christmas season, let this greeting multiply, reinvigorate and regenerate. May the love of Christ impel us to be rooted in the Word and to be committed to His mission. May you strive to live the motto “Faithful to the Word, One with the People”.

Wishing you all Happy Christmas and Joyful New Year.

Fraternally in the Divine Word,

Fr. Paulus Budi Kleden, SVD

Superior General