Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve has arrived, and several local religious leaders have shared the Christmas messages they have for the community.
Bishop Michael Jarrell of the Diocese of Lafayette, said, “In our modern age, when events across the globe are communicated instantly, we are often saddened by things which bring great suffering to people. Acts of nature sometimes cause great suffering, but human cruelty is much harder to accept. On the first Christmas night, the angel proclaimed, ‘Peace on Earth.’ Perhaps he did not mean always and everywhere. Even in our lives, there are times of discord and time of peace. What is certain is that Jesus, Son of God, is the Prince of Peace. May he grant to all of us the peace which he alone can give. I wish you a Blessed and Merry Christmas.”
Christmas services at St. Anthony of Padua Church will be today at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. and at 7 a.m. and 9 a.m Friday, Christmas Day.
Msgr. J. Robert Romero, of St. Anthony’s, said, “I pray that the gift of His love brings you joy this Christmas season and throughout the New Year.”
Romero pointed out that this year is the 50th anniversary of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” television special.
In the show, character Linus Van Pelt quotes from the Bible’s Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 8 through 14, which reads “For behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’”
“Charlie Brown and Linus have told this story for 50 years, but Christians have told this story in word for 2,000 years,” Romero said. “A savior has been born through Christ the Lord.”
James Newsom, director of the Acadian Baptist Center in Richard, said he will attend Christmas Eve services at 5:30 p.m. at North Eunice Baptist Church.
“Jesus is a gift from God to provide a reconciliation with man,” Newsome said. “Jesus is the sacrifice to pay the price for our sins.”
First United Methodist Church will hold its Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m today.
The Rev. John Krause, pastor, said “We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. We should remember that this is a celebration of Jesus.”