Christmas challenges us to reflect on our lives says Offaly influencer
As Christmas approaches, we join together in prayer-filled reflection to look forward with hope to the coming days when we mark the coming of God as one of us; as one who walks with us in our joys and sorrows, no matter where we are or who we are.
At this difficult and distressing time in our history, with so much war and conflict in our world, we pray with the hope of Christ for peace and for justice to embrace as we reflect on the true message of Jesus’ birth in a dirtystable, far from home and material comforts. We also reflect on our own lives, our successes and failures, joys and sorrows, challenges and blessings and unite them all with this journey towards Christmas, towards hope, joy, mercy, charity, love and the light of Christ. In this special time, we find solace in the promise of hope, the light of Christ that pierces through the darkness, illuminating our path towards spiritual renewal and transformation.
How we respond
During this past year we have witnessed so many conflicts and wars in our world particularly in Ukraine, Gaza, Israel, Palestine, Ethiopia, Sudan and many more places in our world. Many have been forced to flee their homes and become refugees and many become exiles in a so-called world that prides itself as a beacon of dignity, freedom, justice and the democratic way of life.
Those people, mostly women and children, were and are forced to leave their homeland to flee persecution. Indeed, recent UN figures show that 2 billion people across the world, that's one in four of our global population, live in places of war and conflict. War's and conflicts often bring other situations into focus, such as economic and financial pressures or social issues like homelessness and housing insecurity. All these place challenges and choices before us in terms of how we respond.
Thankfully, people in the most sense have responded generously during these past few years. Many thousands of people from places of conflict and persecution have been welcomed to this island and the way in which most families and most communities have embraced them is exemplary. Those same communities are also helping and supporting many families and individuals from Ireland to cope with the energy, homeless and financial crisis here through a variety of charitable organisations and bodies, nationally and locally. By doing all this, they proclaim through actions the love of God and continue to walk each day with people in all kinds of situations; giving hope to us all in times of darkness and fear.
Tomato soup
Five-year-old Tommy was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn’t want to go alone. "It’s dark in there and I’m scared."
She asked again, and he persisted. Finally, she said, "It’s OK Tommy, don't be afraid, Jesus will be in there with you." Tommy walked hesitantly to the door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside, saw it was dark, and started to leave when all at once an idea came, and he said, "Jesus, if you’re in there, would you hand me that can of tomato soup?"
Don't be afraid
The most consoling and encouraging message of Christmas is the angelic message, “Do not be afraid.” This is a phrase that occurs many times in the Bible and is mostly spoken by God to His people. This phrase is repeated so often that this short phrase has been called a distillation of the whole Bible.
The Lord said it to Abraham before cutting a covenant with him: “Don’t be afraid.” Angel Gabriel said it to Daniel when he was frightened by a terrifying vision: “Don’t be afraid.” The angel said it to Zechariah, future father of John the Baptist. Angel Gabriel said it to Mary, who was troubled at the news she received. An angel said it to shepherds startled by the Christmas glory that shone round them. Jesus repeatedly said it to his disciples, culminating in his resurrected appearance when he came to his grieving, fearful friends and spoke the words, “Don’t be afraid.”
Mary Magdalene heard this same command when she was in the garden searching for Jesus in the empty tomb. So, during this Christmas season, perhaps this command is the very one God would give to us today: “Don’t be afraid.” Since it is found all over the Bible as words spoken by God, we can trust them. All of us have fears: fears for the safety of our families, fears of our own health and life, fears about possible accidents, illnesses, violent home intrusion, fears about our jobs. We are afraid of spiders and poisonous creatures, deep water and fire hazards.
We are afraid of the health of a loved one that seems to be slipping away. We are all afraid to lose what we do have. We are still afraid that what we do have, may not be enough in the end. On a global level, we are afraid of terrorist attacks, nuclear warfare, religious persecution, global warming and so many other natural disasters. Christmas reminds us that if we fear God with reverential fear prompted by love, we don’t have to fear anything else in the world. We don’t have to fear people & things that can only hurt us in this life. No one can take away who we are in Christ. No one can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus!
Witnesses
The God who comes to us each year at Christmas identifies with refugees, our own homeless and those facing economic hardship or the effects of war, conflict, loss, homelessness wherever they are. His presence in our midst not only renews us and gives us hope, but challenges each of us again and again to witness that presence in all people and to bring his live-giving hope to them, especially in times of loss, war, conflict, crises and homelessness. God walks with us all year round.
May we be open to walking with him in welcoming the stranger, helping those in need especially our homeless wherever they may be; and may we all pray and work for peace, reconciliation, mercy, forgiveness, kindness and justice in our broken world.
Thought for the week
As your thought for the week, let’s not give each other more stuff this Christmas and instead give each other more of our love, time and kindness. Let’s not gift products but instead gift experiences such as experiences of connection, compassion, forgiveness, acknowledgment and belonging. And if we find ourselves in a place of relative abundance, let’s offer what we can to ease the suffering of our fellow humans. According to St. Mother Teresa, "the greatest good we can do for someone is to turn their darkness into light", and even in the smallest of ways, it is an ideal that still has meaning today. Not just at this time of the year, but all year around.
Our lives, country and world are far from perfect. There are always challenges and struggles we face both personally and collectively. The good news of Christmas is that even when the world or our circumstances change, the message of Christmas is timeless. Because Christmas is about the birth of God’s Son, Jesus. It is about how he came to give us love, hope and joy. That message doesn’t change from year to year. When there is so much bad news and devastation in the world, this is good news worth celebrating! This Christmas "don't be afraid" to do our part to be the love, kindness and peace that is deeply needed in our world for our environment, for our communities, for our families, for our hearts. Let me leave you with this prayer that I have been praying lately, "Lord God our Father, at this time of celebration, let us bring to prayer all those who are suffering because of war, violence, persecution, homelessness or any kind of economic or social hardship.
We remember especially the millions across the world who are displaced because of war and conflict and we remember all in our country who are homeless. Sharpen our awareness of how issues are interrelated. Keep our consciences alert. May our leaders develop policies and rules that are guided by humanity and vision and informed by your love for all. Thank you for the work of the many frontline workers, people and organisations that bring your compassion and love to those most in need in our country and our world. Bring peace to the people of the troubled places of our country and our world and to those in need of mental peace. Eternal Father, as we welcome the birth of your Son, walk with your people, wherever they are, to remind them of your eternal presence, your comfort and your strength. May the peace, joy and hope of Christ be with us now and forever especially as we joyfully welcome Jesus into our cribs and into our hearts. Amen."