The faithful remnant, who refuse to be silent in defense of Christ and His truth, often find themselves unwelcome not only in the halls of power in Washington or Ottawa, but even in the Vatican and many cathedrals. Those who strive for holiness are often misunderstood and shunned, sometimes by other good people, through misunderstanding or false rumors or fear. It s hard to know who to trust anymore, with lies and falsehoods everywhere. It seems the hearts of many have grown cold. Does that sound familiar?
00:00:00.000I'm John Henry Weston, the co-founder and editor-in-chief of LifeSite News, and from all of us here at LifeSite News and Sign of the Cross Media, I wish you a happy and holy Christmas.
00:00:09.480What a year it's been. So many ups and downs. So much has happened that it can be hard to take it all in.
00:00:16.600There is so much confusion and uncertainty in the world, and even in the Church.
00:00:21.540At times, the forces arrayed against us, against Jesus Christ and His truth, seem insurmountable.
00:00:28.060The faithful remnant, who refuse to be silent in defense of Christ and His truth, often find themselves unwelcome.
00:00:36.460Not only in the halls of power in Washington or Ottawa, but even in the Vatican, and in many cathedrals.
00:00:43.100Those who strive for holiness are often misunderstood and shunned, sometimes by other good people.
00:00:49.500That comes through misunderstanding or false rumors or fear.
00:00:53.360It's hard to know who to trust anymore, with lies and falsehoods everywhere.
00:00:58.780It seems the hearts of many have grown cold.
00:01:05.840These were the conditions before the Messiah came the first time, and are predicted to be the conditions when He comes again.
00:01:13.400Many of the religious leaders who were called to recognize Him failed to do so when He first appeared.
00:01:19.640Instead, it was simple shepherds and wise men from afar who saw reality much more clearly.
00:01:27.120Even the Holy St. Joseph, in his distress, considered quietly putting Mary away when he discovered she was with child.
00:01:36.840Until the angel of the Lord intervened.
00:01:39.580They were turned away from every inn, from every place of shelter, even though Our Lady was about to give birth, because the hearts had grown cold.
00:01:49.300Cold enough to turn away a mother about to give birth.
00:01:53.520They found refuge in a poor and lowly stable, to give birth to the Savior of the world.
00:02:02.980Angels announced His birth to the shepherds, and their song filled the night air.
00:02:07.240The Holy Family and the poor little ones rejoiced in their poverty, in their littleness, because they had the only treasure on earth.
00:02:17.480The pearl of great price was before them, with them, in them, as He is in us.
00:02:23.340They could see and touch the King of Kings, God Almighty, the whole goal and purpose of their lives.
00:02:30.140And we could still do that today at every Mass.
00:02:32.540We can have Jesus and touch Him and hold Him.
00:02:35.720But at this present time, like never before, we can relate to the coming of the babe of Bethlehem, shunned by the church and the world, for fidelity to Christ and His truth.
00:02:49.740But it is beautiful and even joyful to see the baby Jesus reflected in one another.
00:02:56.320To see Him alive in you, in those who believe, in those who, despite the attacks and the shunning, refuse to be silent, refuse to accept the lies.
00:03:05.720Refuse to shake their beliefs about life, about family, and most importantly, about the one true faith.
00:03:13.600We see you, faithful and holy ones, who pray and support this mission of LifeSite News.
00:03:19.720We see in your gifts, in your prayers, in your comments, the love and warmth of Jesus Christ.