SWFL clergy members sharing a message of hope for Christmas

Southwest Florida pastors and priests have messages of hope for you this Christmas season.

The Christmas story and the long-awaited birth of Jesus did not go according to Mary and Joseph’s plan. That’s just one lesson we can learn from the event more than 2,000 years ago, say clergy members.

New Hope Church Pastor David Acton said, “it didn’t go according to their plan. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t go according to plan. The difference was it was God’s plan. So, a lot of times in our lives, that’s what we think is happening. The things are falling apart and my plans are falling apart. But really, I believe, usually those times that’s when things are falling together and God’s putting things together.”

“The same Jesus who says I am the light of the world, says to his followers you are the light of the world. And in this kind of messed up broken word, people need not only need to hear the personal word, that’s yes, the word of comfort that yes, is the word of, of encouragement. But they also need to hear the word of challenge, the word that says, hey, it’s not enough just to hear the good news, you got to be, we got to become a part of it,” said Grace Church Pastor Jorge Acevedo.

Father Murchadh O’Madagain at St. Vincent De Paul said, “What people forget is if you look to the world and all that’s going on in the world, you won’t find hope. You’ll find despair, and tension and fear and anxiety and hatred. But if you turn around and look towards God, the fear disappears. It’s the constant message, not to be afraid. And if we look to God, to the things of God, the fear disappears because that’s where everything makes sense.”

Mount Herman Church Pastor William Glover said, “This phrase, ‘goodwill towards all men.’ Christmas is a reminder that regardless of ethnicity, race, orientation that the essence of the Christmas message is that we have a position of kindness, benevolence, and friendship toward all.”

Christmas and Easter are the holiest days for Christians and churches are usually packed, but the rest of the year, church attendance is much less.

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