Christmas is finally upon us, after four weeks of waiting. Many of you will be receiving this as you holiday with family and friends in far away places. Know that we, your community, will be thinking of you and missing you as we gather around our crib on Thursday evening. We will be blessed with a soloist singing one of my favorite Christmas songs, “O Holy Night”, and then we will continue our celebration after mass over mince pies and sherry. I hope that it will be for all you, all of us, a time of celebration, love and connection.
I remember the first time in my life I celebrated Christmas away from home, away from family. I was in the second year of my teaching career and wanted to blow my savings on a European holiday before entering the Society of Jesus and beginning the journey towards priesthood. I spent an amazing Christmas in Rome, staying with a friend at the Pontifico Collegio Beda. While Rome was amazing, I missed my family deeply. More than a few tears were shed as I walked the streets and hills of Rome, living in my mind again the Christmas
traditions of my family of birth.
That experience has made me aware of two things: the many lonely and alone people in our community, and the families of choice we construct to fill the void of loneliness. People who have somewhere to go, a place of welcome and celebration, don’t always realise how blessed they are. I am thinking today of the divorced, those estranged from their families, or separated by distance. I am thinking of those who don’t quite fit in, who have to hide their light to be accepted. I hope that our community can compensate in a small way for those little deaths we experience in life and make you feel just a less alone in this world. I also hope that we as a community will be given the discernment we need to take this from a pious hope to a lived reality.
The last time I celebrated Christmas with my family of birth was 30 years ago. Since then, I have celebrated with my new family, the Society of Jesus, and with the family of the parish community. I have been welcomed, loved and blessed, and for that I am truly grateful.
Thank you! As we gather this weekend, and over Christmas day, I offer you this prayer of blessing. I pray it for you, and hope that you will pray it for yourself and for others.
God, our Creator, we offer this humble prayer on Christmas day. We come to worship with a song of thanks in our hearts—a song of redemption, a song of hope and renewal.
We pray for joy in our hearts, hope in our God, love to forgive, and peace upon the earth. We ask for the salvation of all our family members and friends, and we pray your blessings on all people.
May there be bread for the hungry, love for the unlovable, healing for the sick, protection for our children, and wisdom for our youth.
We pray for the forgiveness of sinners and abundant life in Christ. Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with your love and power. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
