Let God set your agenda: Archbishop Miller

In his Christmas message, Archbishop J. Michael Miller urges Catholics to let go of their fears and worries and let God direct their lives in the final days before Christmas.

The Archbishop says Advent and Christmas are too often times of anxiety and distress for many people. “Advent is a season of hope. Yet many of us are so busy doing and worrying that we are left with a sense of unhappiness rather than peace.”

Acknowledging it can be difficult to “let go and trust in our Merciful Father who ‘so loved the world that he gave his Only Son,’” he said the journey toward Christmas “helps us to experience once again the joyful expectation of the Lord’s coming to his people long ago, and to us today.”

Rather than worrying about doing the wrong thing or not being in control of every aspect of our lives, the archbishop invited the faithful to follow Mary’s example of trusting in God’s goodness and faithfulness.

“She gave up control over her own future and let God define her life. She was willing to let him set the agenda, for she trusted that he leads us according to his love, casting out our fear. Mary hoped in God and she leads us to hope.”

He also called on Catholics to prepare for the coming of Jesus by giving thanks to the people in our lives who have “touched, lit up, and enlightened our own lives.”

The full message can be read at rcav.org/christmas2018.