The purpose of that birth is to come as the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Christ to save us. And the principal way we celebrate it is equally clear: Mass. Amidst all the finery, music, spending, giving and socializing, the central focus is to take, break, bless bread and wine. We mark Jesus' birth by celebrating His death and resurrection. (After all, if He hadn't risen from the dead, who would care about his birth!)

The great miracle of the incarnation (God taking on our flesh) has its extension in the Eucharist- the miracle of the bread and wine becoming the Body and Blood of the same Savior. So we celebrate His coming among us as He comes afresh on the Altar.

Amazing! We don't need to travel to Bethlehem. The Prince of Peace comes to us as we kneel at the communion rail. It is the birthday of a King- and we are invited to the feast.

So don't let the secularists or even your friendly pagan, rob you of Christmas. If "Happy Holiday" is inflicted on you, you could ask, "What holiday would that be?" Or more kindly, you could invoke our Lord's blessing on that person, "God bless you this Christmas". The Scrooges may be trying to take over the culture, but one-by-one we can resist.

Give the best gift this holy night. Invite someone to come to Bethlehem with you, to see what has come to pass, to encounter the Prince of Peace who is also King of kings. Let them find Christ at Mass.

With every wish for a holy and happy Christ-mas,

Your brother in the Lord,

Bishop Dan

The Rt. Rev. Daniel Herzog is the Bishop of Albany