Welcome to Christmas, and to our series, "Christmas Voices of Hope: Stories and Reflections for the Season." This time to celebrate the birth of Christ is full of stories, experiences, and traditions that come to define what the season means for each of us. To inspire you with hope during this month of waiting and rejoicing, we have invited friends and members of the Salt + Light Media family to share how their Advent and Christmas traditions have marked their own journey, and that of their communities. Today's reflection -- in the form of a letter --- comes from Joseph McCullough, one of our Associate Producers. He writes about the Catholic values he brings to his media vocation and offers words of encouragement to all supporters of our ministry.     When I was a boy, my dream was to become a movie director like George Lucas.  Now, because of Salt + Light Media, my dream has come true…   Dear Reader, I’m writing this message to personally and sincerely thank you. You don’t know me, but the truth is, you kind of do in a way! My name is Joseph, and I’m an Associate Producer with Salt + Light TV.  Your kindness is what empowers me to do the work that I do. Let me explain: Like many young people, one of my life’s greatest challenges was discerning my vocation, but not in the way that you might think... You see, from a very young age, I pretty much knew what I wanted to do: I wanted to be a movie director like George Lucas!  You know, the guy who created Star Wars.  In fact, George’s Star Wars continues to be my inspiration for pursuing a career in film and television. But here’s the thing: as I grew in my Catholic faith, I decided that I didn’t want to make just any movie.  Instead… I wanted to make movies for the Lord.     Reader, it’s hard to break into the film industry.  But it’s even harder to break into the Catholic film industry, let alone the Canadian Catholic film industry, mostly because… We barely exist. For many years, I wondered why God had placed a desire for an impractical vocation on my heart, especially if He couldn’t fulfill it.  Consequently, I carried a deep sadness within me.  I was out of hope, and it seemed to me that I was out of options, too. Then one day, everything changed… It started when I applied for a summer internship in Salt + Light Media’s marketing department.   You can imagine my surprise when I sat down for an interview with our hiring manager and she told me, “This marketing position has been filled.  However, we’re hiring associate producers in our production department right now, and given your educational background,” (producing and marketing included), “we wondered if you’d like this job instead.” I was floored. I had waited for so long.   I had prayed for so long. And in that moment, at the right time in my life, God opened the door that I’d always hoped He would open. Reader, this job is a dream come true.  And now, I have the privilege of helping to make one of your dreams come true, too…     Let me ask you a question: Have you ever turned on the TV, scrolled through the program options available to you, and thought, “I can’t watch any of this!  Either I have no personal interest in any of these programs, or, I am interested, but the show promotes a lot of behaviour that conflicts with my deeply held Christian values”? If your answer is yes, then I can relate!  So much so, in fact, that this happens to be another one of the reasons that I wanted to work in film and television. Wouldn’t it be great if one day, you could turn on the TV and find a variety of program options available to you that are both meaningful, entertaining, and Catholic? Well, Reader, that day is today.  Your prayers have been answered by Jesus – through you! Yes! Your support for Salt + Light Media enables my colleagues and me to create the kind of meaningful Catholic content that you’ve been longing for… And now, I’d like to share some of it with you. Recently, I had the privilege of writing, associate producing, editing, and directing a short documentary about a profoundly courageous young mother of three who recently lost her beautiful husband. This deeply emotional story – heartbreaking, healing, and hopeful – aired on our December episode of our monthly TV show, behold.   Subscribers to Salt + Light Plus can watch the full episode here, but I’d also like to give you open access to this short documentary as a special way of thanking you.  Thank you, Reader.  Your support for Salt + Light Media has enabled us to give a voice to this incredible young mother.  Your support has also allowed young Catholic filmmakers like me to tell deeply meaningful stories with the intention of healing and blessing viewers with shared faith-life experiences. Before you watch this segment though, Reader, I want to take a moment and personally bless you in Jesus’ name.  Wherever you are this Christmas season, I pray that the peace of Christ remains with you and yours now and forever. With profound gratitude for your support, ~Joseph