Wishing you a Blessed Christmas

Christmas letter of Sister M. Margarete Ulager, General Superiour of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis

Dear Sisters, dear colleagues, dear friends,

On Christmas Eve, December 24, 1968, three US astronauts – Frank Borman, William Anders, and James Lovell – reached the moon aboard Apollo 8. From there, the astronauts sent back to Earth what were probably the most distant Christmas greetings in history. The three astronauts had set off on the first manned moon flight three days earlier, on December 21, 1968. The NASA mission was intended to photograph the lunar surface and find a suitable landing site for a future moon landing. But on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1968, during the fourth of a total of ten planned orbits around the moon, something completely unexpected happened: the astronauts suddenly saw the far side of the moon, and the Earth “rise” above the moon’s horizon in the vast universe, in infinite silence, similar to how one sees the Moon rise on Earth. Amazed by this magnificent sight and by how small our Earth seemed in the vastness of space, astronaut Frank Borman became deeply aware of the presence of God and our humble human reality on Earth. To everyone’s surprise, he said a prayer:

Grant us, O God, the ability to see Your love in this world, despite our human failings.

Grant us the faith to trust in Your goodness despite our ignorance and weakness. 

Grant us insight so that we may not cease to pray with an understanding heart.

And show us what each of us can do to bring peace to the world.

Frank Borman, US Astronaut, December 24, 1968

This historical review reminds us that the feast of the Incarnation of God is not a simple event on the calendar, not an event in the annual cycle, not a historical milestone in the course of the centuries. Rather, it is the ALMIGHTY WORD (John 1:14), born into our human being, when deepest silence enveloped the universe and night in its swift course was half spent (Wis 18:14), the fundament and source of all life.

We sincerely wish you and all those close to your heart a blessed, peaceful, and grace-filled Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

Thank you very much your prayers and for all your support! May the Christmas Star shine gently or brightly upon us in 2026, just as we need it.

With heartfelt greetings and best wishes for the New Year from Father Michael Plattig O.Carm. and your Sisters: Sr. M. Rita, Sr. M. Lima, Sr. M. Hiltrud, Sr. M. Teresa, Sr. M. Beata, Sr. M. Laetitia, Sr. Christa Maria, as well as our team,

Yours in Christ,

Sister M. Margarete Ulager

Photos: Michael Kestin