Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord

My Dear Worthy Brothers,

Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, by Johann Sebastian Bach, is a fairly popular musical work used in churches around the world during the season of Christmas. This is due to the lyrics of the choral piece.

Jesu, joy of Man’s desiring, holy wisdom, love most bright,  drawn by you, our soul’s aspiring, soar to uncreated light.
Word of God, our flesh that fashioned, with the fire of life impassioned, striving still to truth unknown, soaring, dying ‘round your throne (Bach).

Reflecting on the certain reality that Christmas is all about desire, we must keep before us that God has implanted deep in the heart of each of us a desire for Him. While desire for God expresses itself in many different ways, it is natural to seek after beauty because God is the source of all beauty, goodness, and truth. Beauty, goodness, and truth are so many windows to God, so many ways that our innate human desires naturally draw us to our Creator and Savior.

The International Alliance of Catholic Knights actively desires to move forward in hope during this Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. Even in the midst of unrest throughout the world, we continue to press toward the mark of the high calling in Christ. Even in the midst of increasing secularism, we remember that all is not lost. We must continue to working together with the common goal of service to the universal Church by helping those in need while doing all we can to promote the Faith through exercising mercy and love.

In the Holy Eucharist and throughout the coming year 2016, may we recognize how our desire for God and God’s desire for us come together at the manger—remembering Christ’s coming into the world, at the ambo—where the living word of God is preached, and at the altar—where Christ becomes truly present to each of us in a most profound fashion. May we all follow our deepest hungers and desires and so be drawn closer together and closer to our Lord, Jesus Christ. Like the shepherds, let us continually hasten together to greet the King of Glory.

On behalf of Gracious Lady Kanobia Alanna, and in my own name, may the Lord bless us and our families on this holy day and throughout the coming year and fulfill our deepest and truest desires.

DeKarlos Blackmon, OblSB
International President