As we approach Christmas, I think of the Advent Wreath as an oasis of life and light during these dreary dull days of Winter.
There is no need to elaborate on the economy or even the climate that
made this winter more depressing than most.
But that evergreen Advent
Wreath, with its rising beacons of light inspires thoughts of hope and
confidence to lead us through the darkest maze.
The inter-locking branches remind us of the support and networking
within communities which brought so much help to each other during the
recent prolonged spell of bad weather.
Many people couldn’t go far,
couldn’t do much work, so they had time to stop and talk, to get to know
each other. Neighbours who rarely met discovered shared interests.
And above all, they discovered a shared concern for the lonely, the
isolated, the elderly, the vulnerable, and all were prepared to make
huge efforts and sacrifices as they responded magnificently to come to
the rescue of those in need. Neighbourliness, co-operation, friendship
were the real winners.
In this we were following the advice of St.
Paul: “Encourage one another and build one another up…For this is the
will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11,13).
As the star led the Wise Men to Bethlehem, so the lighted candles in
the Advent Wreath bring us to the real source of all this goodness,
Christ, the Light of the World. We have learned the hard way that there
are no secure havens for our earthly treasures.
The barns can burn down
in a flash.
In God alone we put our trust.
During this Christmas
season, we slow down to get to know Christ better – not just the Infant
Jesus of Bethlehem, but the Christ who preached and practised justice,
love and peace.
I want to pay tribute to the whole army of volunteers, workers and
service providers throughout the diocese who showed such solidarity and
generosity in recent weeks and gave of their time, their possessions and
themselves in working for the good of the community.
The St. Vincent
de Paul Society, The Lions Club, the Day Care Centres, Meals on Wheels
and many many other outreach groups saved the lives and raised the
spirits of countless people.
May this solidarity with God and with each other bring new hope this
Christmas.
With Christ in our hearts and shoulder to shoulder with each
other we can look forward with confidence and joy to a brighter New
Year.
I would like to conclude by wishing families throughout the diocese a
joyful and peaceful Christmas and pray that these blessings will
continue throughout 2011.
Brendan Byrne, Diocesan Administrator
SIC: DKL/IE