24^TH /25^TH DECEMBER 2022

A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AN ALL YOUR FAMILY!

Dear Parishioners,

This is a time to rejoice because God has become one of us in the person of baby Jesus, born in Bethlehem. He was born into a harsh world and in the most humble circumstances we can imagine. Yet our Saviour, Emmanuel is with us! Our brother, so that we can be raised up to God’s level. Imagine that!!

The Word of God is made flesh in Jesus Christ. In the Divine Child, we must see our own DIGNITY and destination as children of God, loved, saved and redeemed. This is what Christmas is about.

The theme often mentioned in the Bible is LIGHT v DARKNESS. Jesus said: “I am the light of the world”. Isaiah said: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”. In this festival time, we welcome that light of God, Jesus Christ, and the Word made flesh, the light of our world is among us. God enters the darkness to be alongside us with his love and mercy. In the birth of Jesus, we see that God IMMERSED himself in our messy world and confused lives.

God refuses to remain in the heavens at a distance but comes into the darkest places to be with us. This presence of Jesus gives us life and light. We too can become lights to others. We can be the CANDLE of HOPE, PEACE and JOY, in a dark world. You are a light in the darkness when you are a sign of joy; when you are a ray of hope; when you restore hatred with love; when your response is non-violence to restore Justice. You are a light when you feed the hungry; welcome strangers and when you share your blessings with those who are suffering.  We are in challenging times; the cost of living; people having to strike to make their case heard; the war in Ukraine dominating so much of the life of the world and many more unhappy situations. God meets us where we are. The broken world awaits us in darkness for the light that is YOU!

Let us pray that this Christmas we can be a star shining and reflecting the light of Jesus Christ.

Many thanks for all your cards, good wishes and gifts. All are much appreciated.

HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS

Fr Joe & Sr. Anabel