As we come towards the end of a year that has brought its own share of pain
and suffering, of achievement and tragedy, stress and strain, we all look forward
to more uplifting times- times when families are more secure and united, when
jobs are no longer hanging in the balance, when the health and well-being of
our society are assured. It is precisely at this time, when we experience the
short cold days and the long dark nights, that we are given the opportunity
to come together to celebrate family, to off-load the personal baggage of the
year before the mystery of Light which once more comes into the world in the
form of a child, the Child of Bethlehem.
God the Father, who is fully aware of the conditions of our times, once more sends His Son with a message for the world. It is a message of hope and love, a message which stops us in our tracks, a message told to simple shepherds on a mountain top: "Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people"(Lk. 2:10). This is a time of joy and of sharing joy. This is not a commodity to be purchased nor is it subject to the fluctuations of a market economy. It is the joy of Good News: "Today, in the town of David, a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord" (Lk. 2:11).
When the Christ Child first came times were difficult, so difficult that His pregnant mother found no hospitality in the hotels and inns of the City of Bethlehem. She had to turn the warmth of the humble abode of the animals, a stable, to bring into the world the One who would introduce the Divine economy of God, an economy of grace and life. This Good News we celebrate again this year at Christmas time, and we are told: "Do not be afraid" (LK. 2:10). Let the Christmas event stop us in our tracks, draw us to the Crib and enable us to realise the real meaning of Christmas, namely that He comes among us to assure us that His Heavenly Father knows of all our needs and will take care of them. Let us get our priorities right, right there at the Crib. He will tell us: "Set your hearts on His kingdom first, and on His righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well" (Mt. 6:33).
Let us then, this year, allow the spirit of Christmas influence our lives, our values, our relationships and let us learn from the Child Jesus, in the poverty of His birthplace, that it is not what we have that counts but rather what we are. Let us learn to share and care, even when it costs, and come to realise that the Divine Economy of God surpasses all other systems, for it is an Economy of true values, of Divine grace and truth which will make us free and enable us to really celebrate in joy.
I wish all a most happy and blessed Christmas and a New Year of peace and joy!
+John Magee
Bishop of Cloyne.