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ArChbiShoP ChArleS ChAPut

Christmas and the reason for our joy“And suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the high-est, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased’” (Lk. 2:12-14). Ac-cording to the evangelist, the angel “said” this. But Christianity has always under-stood that the speech of angels is actually a song, in which all the glory of the great joy they proclaim becomes tangibly pres-ent. And so, from that moment, the an-gels’ song of praise has never gone silent. It continues down the centuries in constantly new forms, and it resounds ever anew at the celebration of Jesus’ birth.

Benedict XVI“Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives”

For believers, the Christmas season doesn’t end this week. It begins. So much of modern life at this time of year – its noise, its urgency, its relentless emphasis on shopping and the fatigue that always follows – can seem beyond the control of individuals.

These things can easily distract us from the real reason most Americans, even today, celebrate “the holidays,” the birth of Jesus Christ.

That humble birth is not a legend or seasonal fairy tale. It’s a matter of historical record with real consequences for the course of human affairs. Jesus was born of Mary in Bethlehem. He grew to manhood in Nazareth, learned the trade of carpentry, preached, was crucified, died for our sins and rose again from the dead. The civilization we take for granted has been shaped in foundational ways by Christian faith and its ennobling of human reason and

culture.Real joy – the kind that sustains hope

in the face of life’s failures and sufferings, instead of evaporating like dew in the morning – has nothing to do with buy-ing more things or winter solstices or fan-tastic myths. Real joy needs a grounding in fact. St. Leo the Great once described Christmas as “the birthday of life,” and his words remind us that the manger in Beth-lehem contained much more than generic good will. It cradled something far more

intense and particular: the Word of God incarnate, the flesh and blood of God’s son.

Christmas is “heart-warming” because it radiates the fire of God’s love. The real story of Christmas is revolu-tionary and true, and it ends not in a January white sale, but in an empty cross and tomb – the glory of our re-demption.

This year, in the days of the Christmas season, let’s turn off the noise and turn our hearts instead to the narratives of Christ’s birth in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. The Prince of Peace is with us. In his life, God invites us to eternal life. This is the source of our happiness. This is our reason to celebrate.

May God grant all of you and your families a wonder-ful Christmas season of joy and hope, and a new year of happiness. Please pray for me as I pray, every day, for you.

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(Read more of Archbishop Chaput’s columns, speeches and public calendar at CatholicPhilly.com)

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Annual Archbishop’s Christmas Benefit treats 400 needy children to fun party

Douglas Dunn, who teaches theol-ogy at Pope John Paul II High School in Royersford when he’s not playing Santa Claus at the annual Archbishop’s Christ-mas Benefit for Children, got it right.

“I’m never ready for Christmas until I do this,” said Dunn, who has been don-ning the red suit for the past 17 years. “For me, it is just to see the joy and hap-piness of the children. I try to visit every child in the room.”

The 400 children at the Christmas party held this year on Dec. 18 represented the 16,000 children who benefit during the year from residential and community-based programs offered by archdiocesan Catholic Social Services.

Although the 400 children are the im-mediate recipients, the annual party is re-ally a fundraiser to assist all of CSS’s pro-grams throughout the five counties of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

“We know that it is really a benefit and it goes to services that Catholic Social Ser-vices provides,” said Jacki Delaney, who is in her fifth year as chair of the benefit. “I have more enthusiasm now than ever be-fore. When you look at these children in their eyes you see promise and hope. The social workers give them that hope and make it work for them.”

Usually the event is hosted in person by the Archbishop of Philadelphia, but because of Archbishop Charles Chaput’s knee surgery, Bishop John McIntyre gladly filled in for him.

“This has been going on since 1956 and it is our way of fulfilling the mission of Christ to take care of those who are in need, especially at this time of year,” he said. “For some of these children this will be the only gift they receive this year.

Each of them receives the gift he or she asked for.”

In addition to the 400 juvenile honorees there were an estimated 500 Catholic high school and elementary students along to make it happen, both as entertainers, musi-cians and Santa’s helpers.

Celebrity entertainers included the Phillie Phanatic and Swoop, the Philadelphia Eagles mascot who was accompanied by several players and cheerleaders.

The highlight, after the entrance of Santa Claus, was the distribution of the gifts by elves from Roman Catholic and Hallahan High Schools.

Mario got a Batman figure; Chrystal got a Bratz doll, Kiara got a Barbie Doll. Tiana got Little Pony, Hariah got Princess Celeste.

“Every year it seems to get more joyous and this year it seems even larger,” said Joseph Sweeney, secretary for Catholic Human Services. “We have a commit-tee that is committed to making this the hallmark Christmas celebration in Phila-delphia.”

bicycling Santas bring gifts to foster children

Santa Claus arrived early on Dec. 21 with Christmas presents for little boys and girls, at perhaps an unaccustomed stop: the Arch-diocesan Pastoral Center in Phila-delphia.

In this case, the Santa suit was donned by real estate developer Carl Dranoff, as he led a horse-drawn carriage loaded with more than 100 gifts through center city.

He was joined by 15 Santa’s helpers from Dranoff Properties on bicycles wearing Santa suits

and, considering safety, bicycle helmets beneath tassled red hats.

They brought presents to the headquar-ters of the Philadelphia Archdiocese for about 85 foster children who visit Casa del Carmen. The family services agency in North Philadelphia is operated by archdi-ocesan Catholic Social Services (CSS).

Auxiliary Bishop John J. McIntyre and CSS officials welcomed Dranoff and his team to the building in front of its 20-foot-tall gleaming Christmas tree.

“I’m just delighted we could bring cheer and happiness,” Dranoff said, adding that through the Santas on bicycles, he wished “to promote bike riding in the city.”

Dranoff also presented a $1,000 check to Bishop McIntyre for Catholic Social Services.

The bishop said he was grateful for Dranoff’s generosity and all those who donated the gifts.

The gesture “fulfills the mission of Christ especially at this time of year to care for those who are in need,” Bishop McIntyre said. “Thank you for your gen-erosity and care for the children at Casa del Carmen.”

bishop John Mcintyre helps tanairis from Casa del Carmen unwrap a doll that she received as a present at the 56th annual Archbishop’s Christmas Benefit for Children Dec. 18.

Photo by Sarah Webb