Joint Christmas Message 2011
Bishop Trevor Williams,
United Dioceses of Limerick & Killaloe
Fr Tony Mullins,
Diocesan Administrator, Diocese of Limerick
Fr Tony Mullins,
Diocesan Administrator, Diocese of Limerick
What Gift can I give?
As we hasten towards Christmas Eve, we ask one another the familiar Christmas question, have you got everything you need for Christmas? Have you purchased all your presents?
Well maybe you are organized and have everything under control or perhaps not, maybe there is still that elusive gift to be to be sought out for that someone special in your life.
The gifts we give to each other reflect the relationships we have with one another. This year everyone has less money in their pockets. In recent months all of us have had to re-assess our priorities and the uncertainty of our economic future is impacting on how we spend our money this Christmas.
At the heart of the Christmas is the realization that God our Father is the greatest gift giver of all. We celebrate the mystery of the incarnation. God has become one of us in Jesus, the Word made flesh.
Americans often use the word "Awesome!", to describe incredible events or places. During these days of Christmas why not ponder on the awesome mystery of God becoming man. We look at the crib in wonder and awe. We reflect on what unfolds for us in the Christmas story and we are challenged to look at our own lives, to ponder on what all of this means for us and our relationship with God.
Christmas challenges us to take stock of where we are in our relationship with God. We are called to look beyond this world of traffic jams, financial pressures, work commitments, deadlines and peer pressure. In a sense we are invited to lift our hearts and minds towards God, so that we can come to a deeper understanding of the mystery that we share in.
Perhaps the question we really need to ask ourselves this Christmas is not "What gifts will I get?" The question is "What can I give?" Our energy is spent for others. Our spending is because of others. Our exhaustion is for others. And that's the Christmas secret: to be for others. And the Christmas secret is out, but along with it comes a Christmas challenge, the challenge to transfer that mindset to the whole year, and to our whole lives, and to the whole world. So we have to ask the question, "What then can I give?"
When we see someone who is poor and down and in bad shape and we say, "There but for the grace of God go I." That's true, and it shows an understanding compassionate heart. But we reserve it for some people; those we have a certain liking for, or those who have nothing to do with us or those who will not bother us or our lives in any way. "There but for the grace of God go I". We have to apply it to everyone. We have to apply it to those who are needy, those who are unemployed, those who are immigrants, those who have a different lifestyle than we, a different faith than we, a different race than we, a different nation from ours. Can we give understanding?
What else can we give to each other? Can we give forgiveness? There is so much anger in the world, and in our hearts. So much road rage... so much revenge... so much "Let's get even." ... so much "It's payback time" The one healing, healthy, wholesome gift that we can give to ourselves and to others is forgiveness. That is why God sent his son Jesus to the world, so that we could experience through him the gift of unconditional love, compassion and understanding.
The birth of the baby in Bethlehem on that first Christmas had a transforming affect on all who were present for that moment when God became man, Emmanuel God with us. The hearts of the hardened shepherds were melted by the mystery that unfolded before them.
The wise men and all who witnessed the birth of Christ were changed forever. Similar transformations were experienced by many who met Jesus during his life. Who can forget the compassion shown to Mary Magdalene or the understanding given to Zacchaeus the fraudulent tax collector? Their lives were changed forever.
Let our hearts be more open than ever, to experiencing the joy that was first experienced by the shepherds and all who gathered at the stable in Bethlehem. "Behold, I bring you news of great joy. This day a Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord". Let us share this joy with one another, let us share this wondrous gift with each other.
The Rt Revd Trevor Williams
Church of Ireland Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe
Church of Ireland Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe
Diocesan Administrator
Diocese of Limerick