CHARLOTTE — The true meaning of Christmas is found in the love of Jesus Christ, Bishop Peter Jugis preached to a reduced-capacity congregation during Midnight Mass.
St. Patrick Cathedral, like many other churches across the Diocese of Charlotte, offered joyous yet subdued Christmas services Dec. 24-25 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Health precautions in place to reduce the spread of the coronavirus included lowered in-person Mass attendance and livestreamed Masses for those unable to attend in person.
At the cathedral’s traditional Mass at Midnight on Dec. 25, a little over 100 people who had registered in advance sat socially distanced from each other in the pews, while hundreds more watched the Mass streamed live on YouTube. The festive poinsettias and greenery adorning the cathedral contrasted with the sparse congregation, face coverings and hand sanitizing stations.
Bishop Jugis blessed those present and watching via the livestream and told them they had “come to the right place” to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
The meaning of Christmas is found in the word itself, he said. “The true meaning of Christmas is Jesus. It’s just that simple. A simple word, one word: the name of the Son of God.”
Yet, he continued, “the world searches and searches and searches for the true meaning of Christmas.”
Social media “chatter,” he said, tells us “the true meaning of Christmas is family. The true meaning of Christmas is friends. Smiles, health, wellbeing and joy.”
He then recalled the words of St. Augustine: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”
He continued, “That describes the world perfectly – restlessly searching for a way to give a secular meaning to Christmas without reference to Jesus.”
“Without Jesus,” Bishop Jugis said, “all you are left with is a ‘happy holiday’ – but not Christmas.”
He encouraged people to demonstrate the true meaning of Christmas by sharing the love of Christ with others.
“God the Father gave the world the gift of His Son, and that is the greatest gift that we can give to others,” he said. “To live and to practice our faith, and to bring the love of Christ to others.”
In a greeting to all those present and watching from around the diocese, Bishop Jugis said, “My very best wishes to all of you as we celebrate the great feast of Christmas. May Christ bless you and your families with His peace and love this day and always.”
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor
“God the Father gave the world the gift of His Son, and that is the greatest gift that we can give to others. To live and to practice our faith, and to bring the love of Christ to others.” — Bishop Peter Jugis