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Dear brothers and sisters,
During Christmas, we are invited to contemplate the profound mystery of the Nativity of our Lord, the Incarnation. The pre-eternal God, who holds the universe in His hand, humbles Himself to become truly human: a vulnerable, defenseless child.
This year, we greet you with special Christmas cards prepared by children from Ukraine. The Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund of the Ukrainian Catholic Metropolia in the US announced a “Christmas in Ukraine” art contest 2025 for children ages 7-17 who have benefited from projects supported by the Fund. The eight winners of the contest, who come from different regions of Ukraine, were thrilled. For them, it is a profound experience to live Christmas in a country which every day defends its freedom and the basic right to life.
Christmas is a very special holiday with rich traditions in Ukraine. Children go from house to house, caroling and performing Christmas plays (“Vertep” in Ukrainian), dressed in traditional costumes and bringing the Good News of salvation and joy amid the calamities of the war. The star bearer leads the children’s group, symbolizing the Star that showed the shepherds and the Magi the way to pay tribute to the newborn King, a defenseless child.
There is great risk now in bringing the Good News of Christmas to Ukrainian cities and towns, which are under daily Russian bombings. The United Nations has verified that at least 745 Ukrainian children have been killed and over 2,375 have been injured since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
One of the winners of the contest, Ivan Melnyk, comes from the large city of Zaporizhzhia, which is 18 miles away from the frontlines. Children in Ukraine are going to bed and waking at night to the sound of air raid sirens, rushing to bomb shelters, praying to live to see the morning dawn.
The carolers will not sing joyful Christmas songs in the Russian-occupied territories, which represent 20% of Ukrainian territory. And more than 20,000 children abducted by the Russians will not have chance to see their parents for Christmas, as their fate depends on the cruel will of a despotic King Herod — Putin, who wants to erase their identity.
This year, Mother Church invites us to dwell in hope. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “Hope does not disappoint” (Rom. 5:5). Let us be men and women of hope helping children and those who are suffering in Ukraine through your generous Christmas donation. Let us be the light in this world!
We assure you that through the Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund, which supported 153 wonderful projects in 2024-2025 by donating over $3.3 million, your gift will be directly used in Ukraine, helping to save lives and heal wounds of the war.
Thank you for your generosity and solidarity with the people of Ukraine!
Christ is born! Merry Christmas!
Yours in Christ,
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