Matt GaspersDecember 2019 Edition Now Available – Preview HERE
Dear Friends in Christ,
“I give thanks to my God in every remembrance of you, always in all my prayers making supplication for you all, with joy” (Philip. 1:3-4). These words of St. Paul, inspired by the Holy Ghost, are the first that come to mind as I compose this message. You, dear readers, are the ones who make Catholic Family News possible, so I thank you most sincerely for your ongoing prayers and generous support!
As I reflect on the struggles and highlights of the past year, I am struck by a particular verse from Scripture, which is also most appropriate as we prepare to celebrate Christmas: “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent His Son” (Gal. 4:4). In the fullness of time, that is, at precisely the right moment. God the Father, in His infinite wisdom and providence, prepared from all eternity what He knew would be the best time and circumstances for His beloved Son’s entrance “into this world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15).
St. Athanasius, the great champion of orthodoxy during the Arian crisis, described the significance of Divine Providence in relation to Our Lord’s mission as follows:
“The Savior, likewise, might have come among us from the beginning; or, when He did come, might not have been delivered over to Pilate. Nevertheless, He came at the fullness of time [Gal. 4:4], and to those who were searching for Him [on the eve of His Passion], He said, ‘I am He’ [John 18:5]. Whatever He does is profitable for men, and was not fitting in any other way; and whatever is profitable and fitting, for this He makes provision.” (Discourses Against the Arians, Book 2, 68)
Just as God the Father sent His Son into the world at a precise moment in history, so too did He ordain that we should live at this particular time, in order to witness to His Truth and help as many souls as possible enter “into the Kingdom of the Son of His love” (Col. 1:13) – the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
As we prepare to celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord, I invite you to become an ambassador for Catholic Family News in your local community. Consider purchasing gift subscriptions for family and friends or purchasing a bundle of 10 papers each month to distribute in your area (call 1-800-474-8522 to place orders). This would go a long way, not only towards keeping CFN alive and well, but most importantly towards reaching many more souls with the clarity of Truth in these times of great confusion.
And if you’re not already a subscriber yourself, please consider subscribing to our monthly print edition, which is also available in electronic format.
On behalf of everyone at Catholic Family News, I wish you and your families a most blessed Advent season! And may the peace and joy of Christ the King be yours this coming Christmas and throughout the New Year!
Sincerely in the Holy Family,
Matt Gaspers, Managing Editor
Murray Rundus
