Over
the past few days, because of the snow, we
have become very aware of the importance of
Christmas as a time for family.
The sight
of thousands stranded at airports, desperately
trying to get home to be with family reminds
us that, when it comes to celebrating the
birth of the Christ child, ‘there’s no
hearth like the home hearth’.
This year Christmas Day
sits side by side with the Feast of the
Holy Family which is celebrated on Sunday.
Thinking this weekend of the Holy Family
of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, inspires us to
reflect on the importance to us of our own
families and also of the special meaning
of family for society.
The family has often been
described as the ‘little church’ because
it is in the family that children are first
introduced to God and the love of Christ.
Parents are the first teachers of the Gospel
stories, including the wonderful story of
the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
They also
introduce their children to prayer and to
the important values which will guide them
as they grow older and eventually leave
home to begin their own families.
It is in the family that
we first learn the meaning of life itself.
Christ’s coming into our world in the womb
of the Virgin Mary shed light on the wonder
of all human life. That is why at the beginning
of Advent I joined Pope Benedict in holding
a Vigil of prayer here in Derry for all
unborn life.
We are particularly conscious
this Christmas of the pressures on family
life posed by recent dramatic events in
our national economy.
The St Vincent de
Paul Society tells us that many more people
are now seeking help with basic necessities
such as food, fuel and clothing. The burden
of debt, the fear of losing home, job, business
or benefits increases levels of tension
and anxiety in the home.
The spectre of
unemployment and emigration once more hovers
over many families. I commend the work of
those who reach out to families in need
and ask you to generously support their
work in whatever way you can.
It has been deeply encouraging
in recent days to see so many people helping
those most in hardship because of the bad
weather, particularly their grandparents
and elderly neighbours. Spending time with
the most vulnerable and seeing that they
are safe, warm and nourished is a living
expression of Christian charity and a witness
to the value of all human life.
For 2011 I urge everyone
to say ‘yes’ to family,
‘yes’ to life, ‘yes’
to charity and neighbourliness and of course
‘yes’ to the good news
of Jesus Christ, born to be our Saviour.
I pray especially for families who have
experienced a bereavement since last Christmas
and those who are living with illness.
Lord
give families the strength, patience and
courage they need to face these difficult
times.
Guím beannacht
agus séan na Nollag ar lucht éisteachta
an chláir seo.