‘let the land and all it bears rejoice, all the trees of the wood shout for joy’ (Psalm 95:12)
(Readings for midnight Mass of Christmas)
|
Psalm 95 (96) |
‘A meaningful Christmas’ is one of those enigmatic phrases
that has arrived in common parlance in recent times. We had a lockdown in
November (or was it October ? – I can’t remember or distinguish months anymore)
so that we could have a ‘meaningful Christmas’.
The phrase begs the question – what is a meaningful Christmas for you,
for me, for anyone? Clearly, ‘Christmas’ had become a major mid-winter, at
least in the Northern Hemisphere, festival of colour, lights, glitz, santa,
presents, retail, meals out, meals in together, visiting, days off work if we
are among the fortunate and so on and on.
A poignant memory of Christmas Day for me is helping to feed
my mother in a nursing home many years ago when she was alive (something that
would be unthinkable for a relative in such a place nowadays). There was a time when she fed me on my first
Christmas Day in 1956 (in hospital as it turns out as I was delicate enough
when I was born a week before Christmas).
I have many pleasant memories of Christmas day with my own Mam and Dad
and then with others along the way including my own family and children. Last
year was special as I hung in the balance between life and death in A&E due
to septic shock secondary to an infection. That was Christmas Day/night as a
team of people worked hard to save my life.
I can remember the festive imitation antlers on the head of the doctor
as she put in an IV line. There are things you notice when lying flat.
This year everything is upside down. We literally don’t know
whether we are coming or going. And, as
for the Great Sacrament which is, surely, the point of a fully Christian
celebration of Christmas I am afraid it is something much less than we might
have hoped for. Everyone (or almost everyone) is doing their best to stay
positive and stay safe even if nerves are fraying and tempers flaring in a
household near you. It could be worse –
one could be stuck in a truck on the M20 outside Dover or working a 12 hour shift
in ICU here in Dublin where there is a steady flow of very, very sick people
arriving day by day. Some people are sick with worry about having no livelihood
on the 1st January. Others will be thankful to be alive and not on a
ventilator on 1st January.
It's surreal.
Yes, our faith is put to the test. Where O God are You? Eli, Eli, Lema Lema sabachthani? (Matthew
27:46).
Perhaps, this is not the time or year to say ‘have a merry
Christmas’. We need to rethink where we
are and what we have got. What we have is a slice of life in time and a breath
to take us through the next few moments. That’s it. We did not chose these circumstances. We have
to accept that this is where we are and that if there is a God in heaven (I
believe that there is) that God is not a God of punishment or revenge but a God
of infinite loving kindness who has counted our breaths and knows every tissue
of our being and cares for us moment by moment.
The truth is that Christmas 2020 can be special in so many
ways if we want it to be. Here is are some examples:
Calling that person you have not talked with in years because
of some hurt.
Texting someone you know that is living on their own on
Christmas Day.
Taking a little time out to pray the act
of spiritual communion with another person or on your own. An open bible on the opening chapters of
Saint Luke, a lit candle and an un-consecrated morsel of bread and a thimble of
wine could symbolise our longing and desire for communion at this moment of our
life’s journey. This is the Bethel or house of bread (Bethlehem) where
we are nourished in spirit just as we were on our first Christmas on earth.
We could close with today’s reading from the prophet Isaiah
so, so relevant to us now (Isaiah 9:1-7):
But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In
the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land
beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The
people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a
land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. (v. 2)
You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before
you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing
plunder.
For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the
rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in
blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born
for us, a son given to us (v.6)
authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow
continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and
his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness from this time onwards and for
evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
&&&
Have a meaningful Christmas wherever you are. See you in the
new Jerusalem soon. Shalom
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.