This year, as we
prepare to celebrate once again the birth of our Saviour, we remember
previous celebrations of Christmas and, in many cases, reflect on what
we have lost and we remember those who are no longer with us.
The
past two years’ celebrations left us looking forward to future
Christmases when traditions and customs would be restored and we could
celebrate worthily the birth of our Saviour with family and friends once
again.
Tradition is important and there is no time during the
year when tradition matters as much as Christmas. Parts of that
‘traditional’ Christmas picture are snow, carols, church and peace.
While
the cold snap of the past few days has taken the gloss from the image
of the ‘White Christmas’, not least due to rising fuel costs, we still
strive for that notion of peace.
In fact, most or our Christmas Carols allude to that message of peace that was part of the first Christmas.
‘All
Glory be to God on high, and on the earth be peace. Good will
henceforth from heaven to men, begin and never cease’ is the last verse
of While Shepherds watched their flock by night. Hark the Herald Angels
sing tells us to ‘Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace’ and Franz
Gruber’s Silent Night refers to sleeping ‘in heavenly peace’. More
importantly, it is also associated with a brief truce in the trenches
during the First World War in 1914.
As the world emerged from the
worst effects of Covid in 2022, war broke out in Ukraine. This war has
shattered lives, displaced millions, prompted both inflation and
poverty and caused shortages of fuel and food. That has become evident
in our own country again in the days before Christmas. The peace makers
role is becoming more and more difficult. The absence of peace touches
us all. Even within the last week, one of our own soldiers, Sean
Rooney, was murdered while serving the cause of peace with the United
Nations. May the Prince of Peace comfort his family and colleagues and
may he, too, sleep in heavenly peace.
It would be easy to become
despondent in the light of such challenges. Christmas urges us never to
lose hope. A Saviour has been born for us and God is with us. That is
the message of Christmas.
Perhaps the challenge is not to become
over awed or even paralysed by the bigger picture but to do what we
can, when we can. This diocese, like many others, has welcomed people
from the Ukraine and Afghanistan who are fleeing violence and seeking
peace. Many in the Diocese have also contributed to appeals for those
who are suffering.
Perhaps there is more we all could do to pay
homage to the Prince of Peace whose arrival we eagerly await. There
are, obviously, the issues of peace in the home, work place and local
community. We should work towards peace in all those contexts if for no
other reason than it makes life more bearable and easy. As Pope
Francis said last week ‘as we know, peace must be built up day by day;
it must inspire and accompany our daily lives and activities’.
That
is the challenge for ourselves this Christmas. Peace begins with each
of us doing what we can and what our faith calls us to do.
There
is at this time a real need for peacemakers, men and women prepared to
work boldly and creatively to initiate processes of healing and renewed
encounter. That is true amongst ourselves, our society and in our
Church.
While the current world situation is far from peaceful,
this Christmas, like every other, offers you and I opportunities to
bring peace and joy. As we rejoice once more in the commemoration of
the birth of our Saviour, let us take the opportunities offered by the
Prince of Peace.
Finally, over the past few weeks, I have been
struck by the people I have met in various parishes who have told me
that they have not returned to church after COVID or were returning for
the first time. Some of these people have good reason and have medical
conditions. Sadly, some seem to be captive by fear and have become
isolated from family, friends, community and church. Isolation is never
healthy, be it emotionally, socially or spiritually. Christ is our
Saviour and came to free us! While we must do what we can to keep safe,
do not become isolated. If you believe the Church is too crowded,
visit when the Church is quieter over Christmas and be reassured by the
joy and hope that comes from the knowledge that God is with us.
Let
us pray for those who are suffering this Christmas and renew our
prayers for peace. A joyful Christmas to you and yours and may the New
Year bring peace and blessings for us all.
+Tom Deenihan