Jesus’ birth was marked by two categories of people who were seeking Him, the first being, the shepherds and the three wise men, who were actually led by God to the exact place where He was born. They saw Jesus with their very eyes and returned back home filled with joy. The second category of people who were also trying to find out where He was born consisted of the chief priests, teachers of the Law, and many others in Jerusalem. And not to mention about King Herod who wanted to get Him killed. They never found Him.

Now we must bear in mind that what happened at that time keeps happening till today. The seeking is still going on. Some who are genuinely seeking God are led by Him to experience the person of Christ. Others simply don’t find Him. At the most they know Him at the intellectual level – because they rely more on their human wisdom. However, to come closer to God and behold His face, one must have faith. As it is written in the letter to the Hebrews 11:6… No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek Him.

“A stable would be the last place in the world where one would have looked for Him. Divinity is always where one least expects to find it.” Ven. Fulton Sheen. Well, this is God’s idea of faith. The shepherds and the wise men had that faith. It wasn’t too difficult for the shepherds to expect the Saviour to be born in a stable. We are told that when they heard about Him from the angels, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger. (Luke 2:16). The wise men too had no difficulty in believing what they saw. They went into the house, and when they saw the child with His mother Mary, they knelt down and worshiped Him. (Matthew 2:11).

Even before the shepherds and the wise men could go in faith to the stable and find the Saviour, there was one who had already found Him – she is Mary Our Mother. She believed first before anyone else could believe. From the very beginning, she had the faith to expect the unexpected. That is why she could say ‘yes’ to God. She didn’t find it difficult to believe that the Son of the Most High, the Messiah, the King was conceived in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit, that after nine months of carrying the Him in her womb, she would finally go all the way to Bethlehem and deliver Him in a stable. Later, she would not find it difficult to believe that the same Son of God, Messiah and King would have to die a shameful death on the cross to redeem the whole world. That is why she remained in silence at the foot of the cross accepting everything. So great was faith – to expect the unexpected. She has set an example for all of us her children how to always expect the unexpected while making this journey of faith here on earth and ultimately behold the face of God.

On the other hand, those who rely on their human wisdom and strength go by the standards of the world. They feel that everything depends on them. That is why Herod gave the following instructions to the wise men, “Go and make a careful search for the child; and when you find Him, let me know, so that I too may go and worship Him.” (Matthew 2:8). We know that the wise men did not have to make a ‘careful search’ in the whole of Bethlehem. They didn’t have to use their own experiences, their efforts, and their intellect. If they did, they would have searched the richest locality first. They would have zeroed down on the richest and powerful family. In the worldly sense, where else would they expect the king of the Jews to be born? But they didn’t have to do all that. They went by their faith. And God led them to the right place.

Therefore, faith is all about expecting the unexpected while being led by God. That is the pattern He always follows – and the world is never able to grasp it. God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise, and he chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful. He chose what the world looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important. (1 Corinthians 1:27-28). Jesus once asked the crowd concerning John the Baptist, “What did you expect to see?” (Matthew 11:7). A second time He asked, “What did you go out to see?” (Matthew 11:8). And then a third time, “Tell me, what did you go out to see?” (Matthew 11:9). To us, the question of Our Lord would be, “What do you expect as you come in search of me?” It is a question echoing down to the depths of our souls, inviting us to become people of faith – and not people who go by their human wisdom.

Therefore, let us strive to be people of faith – people who expect the unexpected. For this to happen, we must strive not to conform ourselves to the standards of this world. Instead, we must let God transform us inwardly by a complete change of our minds. Then, we will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to Him and is perfect. (Romans 12:2). In another place, it is written… Your faith does not rest on human wisdom but on God’s power. (1 Corinthians 2:5). The more our minds are transformed, the less we will rely on our human wisdom. Like in the case of Mary Our Mother, the shepherds and the wise men, it will not be very difficult for us to expect the unexpected. Instead, we will always be in a hurry to go by the way that God is leading us so that we may behold the face of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

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SPECIAL MASS FOR SOULS OF DECEASDED SPOUSES 

A special Mass was offered for the souls of deceased spouses of the members of the widows ministry of the ACJM on 12th November 2025 at Pallotti Home, Chicalim-Vasco. Br Edmund shared the Word of God briefly by way of preparing the widows for the Mass. Also, during the offertory, they were led into a special forgiveness and surrender session. By the end of the Eucharistic celebration, it was evident from the expressions on everyone faces that they had indeed experienced a sense of inner healing. The Mass was followed by an agape lunch and everyone was seen partaking in it with joy in their hearts.

CONCLAVE FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF THE INTERCESSION MINISTRY

YOUTH FOLLOW-UP MEETING

The Youth ministry of the ACJM had recently organised their annual youth retreat titled ‘Ignite for Christ 2025’ in the month of October. As a follow-up of the retreat, many of the youth met once again in South Goa on 9th November 2025 for a day-long session of praise and worship, Word of God, games and fellowship.

Pilgrimage of Gratitude 2025

Despite the long distance, hundreds of Crusaders along with a number of well wishers of the ACJM happily turned out for the Pilgrimage of Gratitude for 2025 with Fellowship, Fun & Prayer organised by the ACJM at the Divine Springs campus, Xellie, Loliem in Canacona on Sunday 7th Dec.
Crusader cadres – Old and young, men and women, Konkani and English speaking, youth and middle-aged, also advanced in age, married and unmarried, old and new faces came by special buses and cars from different villages and towns in Goa, all to thank Our Lord Jesus for His Mercy this year. At the Holy Mass, Our Lord was begged for protection of families and of His people and for the church in 2026.

It was heartening to see hundreds of people solemnly consecrating themselves to Our Lord Jesus and to Our Blsd Mother Mary for the two fold purpose of renewing our common aim –
➡️to live the Christian life with a deeper commitment to the Gospel in order to grow in holiness of life
AND
➡️to carry out the mission of direct evangelisation and re-evangelisation together.

The day’s events began in the morning with a huge community breakfast, sharing of experiences, prayer, games and interactive sessions, the Way of the Cross and a joyful procession of the Blsd Virgin Mary at the venue, followed after Holy Mass by an agape community lunch with great fellowship and a summation of the work Our Lord had allowed the Crusaders to do in the year 2025. It ended on a high note with tea and hugs of bidding good bye as all left armed by the Holy Spirit to face the upcoming year 2026. God had indeed greatly multiplied our numbers.

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ONLINE CONFERENCES

20th December 2025 at 6:00pm (India Time)

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24 x 7 Intercession Network

+91 98221 76821 (Vasco)

+91 97645 99281 (Margao)

+91 9422847340 (Panjim)

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