"And then there’s Christmas!"When so many people are feeling the pinch, with less money to go around, and some finding it impossible to make ends meet – on top of all that, there is Christmas!
There are
quite a few people who would love to cancel Christmas this year! A
young mother summed up her frustration “....and then there’s Christmas!
How can you say ‘No’ to a six year old?”
There is a lot of anger around this
Christmas. People are asking who is to blame? Financial
institutions,
bond holders, politicians, the IMF, the EU, the euro... the list goes on
and on.
The truth is, a lot of people are responsible for the mess we
are in. But blame alone won’t help us.
This is why we need Christmas more than
ever this year.
The Story of Christmas brings light to the darkness we
find ourselves in. Christmas tells us of a Generous God. Jesus was born,
in hopeless circumstances; a helpless child, a stranger, poor and
homeless. Jesus was God’s way of communicating how valuable each person
is. He came among the poorest of us, the most vulnerable, the weakest,
to be alongside us, and to share our experience.
The message of Christmas is God’s self giving, for others. It is the gift of undeserved love that we are celebrating. And as we receive the gift of God’s love, so we are enabled to pass on that gift to others. It is in loving others, the hopeless, the helpless, the stranger, the poor and homeless that we will participate fully in the meaning of Christmas.
Yes let’s celebrate, even though it may have to be less extravagant this year. But also, let’s remember those in need. We can all do something, no matter how small. It’s not to make us feel good in giving to others, though it is good. It’s because that is the way the world is. If we don’t care for one another, we will harm each other.
The Irish phrase “Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine”
reminds us that we live in the shelter of our neighbours.
The St Vincent
de Paul Society Christmas appeal this year invites us to “Give Hope”.
One of the strongest grounds for hope at this difficult time, is that
Ireland is blessed with people of extraordinary generosity, good
neighbourliness and social concern. The feast of Christmas invites us to
mobilise that spirit of good will and give hope.
The years of the Celtic Tiger, where everyone was out for what they could get for themselves, were a bad lesson in how to live in lasting peace and joy. The spirit of Christmas, the spirit of generous, self-
May you know joy and peace this Christmas and in the New Year.
Very Rev Tony Mullins
Diocesan Administrator
Diocese of Limerick
The Rt Revd Trevor Williams
Church of Ireland, Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe
Church of Ireland, Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe
SIC: DOL/IE