On behalf of all of us in the Salesian and Presentation families, it is my great honour to wish you, your families and friends, a most joyful and blessed Christmas. This is a sacred and special day, and our journey through Advent has prepared us for this day. In spite of everything that our media might be telling us, the Christmas season begins today. The anticipation and hope is achieved as we gather for Eucharist this morning. Our first reading, from Hebrews, make it very clear: In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. (Heb 1:1-2). Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, comes into our world in a real and living way. The Hebrew prophets of old mediated the word and message of God—sometimes it was accepted, more often, it was rejected.

Christ is born for us! On this Day Mass of Christmas, we always hear from the Gospel of John. It is a very different account of the birth of the Lord Jesus: the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory. There are no details about the birth but only a reflection on how this birth has changed our world entirely. John is completely confident that all that is in the world has come to be in Jesus Christ and through Jesus Christ, who is born for us this day. This birth is not pretend or play acting, God enters into our human history at a specific time and place. In the life, ministry and teaching of Jesus we see the Word of God speaking to us in a real and dynamic way: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Jn 1:14).

As we look at the crib scene this morning, we realise just how gloriously simply the message of God actually is. In these days of economic hardship and conflict, with a continued worry with Covid-19, this family, gathered in the simple stable, point to the need for thanksgiving—a thanksgiving that will be seen in the gifts that lie under your Christmas tree today. Take some time today to answer the simple question: what makes you grateful? On the advice on my spiritual director, I make a list of three things that make me grateful on a daily basis. In our present crisis that wisdom is even more important. On many days my list is the same: my community, my family, a special piece of music or an amazing poem that I've read. Then there are special thanksgivings: a text from a friend who I thought had forgotten about me! Cooking a special meal that reminds me of happier times, like the time I was helped to cook perfect risotto by an expert. I know there is a danger of overthinking in these days, and it can affect our mental health immensely. However, that can be countered by focusing on your happy memories: When I was teaching, I always loved Friday nights with the week of work behind you and the thrill of a weekend before you. I still maintain that heaven is an eternal Friday night!

The call to kindness and care is universal and must be maintained in whatever a new normal will bring us. As we pause in whatever tier that we are put in, may we use the time gained to make significant changes. I strongly urge you to look at the excellent work of the Don Bosco Green Alliance; a movement spanning 65 nations, the DBGA helps us to be grateful for our planet and our need to share the care, especially as we need to move on from Cop 27 recently held in Egypt. We cannot simply return to 'same old, same old':

What kind of a post-pandemic world do we envision? Is the recovery going to further exploit nature and damage our already endangered ecosystems? Will the new normal be but a new disguise for our old unsustainable lifestyles? We at Don Bosco Green Alliance believe that this needs to be a turning point in our history. We believe it is time to Rethink, Reconnect, Renew

Christmas is that ideal time to rethink our relationship with God and others, it gives us permission to reconnect with those we have perhaps lost touch with. Those Christmas visits, obviously under conditions of real care in these strange times, allow us to give that unique gift of friendship. As you give thanks today, please remember that there is someone in your life who daily gives thanks for YOU. You have made a difference in so many lives and you need to be appreciated. I strongly recommend that you try to RECONNECT with those who have gone that extra mile in your life, those whom you miss more than ever in these crazy times. My go to reflection in times of gratitude is Elbow's 'One Day Like This.' I pray that you will experience this day of total gratitude, joy and blessings as it can make the other 364 seem somehow worthwhile

Throw those curtains wide!

One day like this a year'd see me right

Throw those curtains wide!

One day like this a year'd we'll sing it right

(Songwriters: Guy Edward John Garvey / Craig Lee Potter / Mark Potter / Peter James Turner / Richard Barry Jupp).

Christmas Day is our day of renewal too; I wish you all well as you gather around your Christmas table. I pray for laughter, merriment and fun—even if you are sitting on the 'emergency chairs' so beloved by Peter Kay. As you look at the crib today remember that you must allow the baby of Bethlehem to grow up and challenge us by his words and actions—he can never be the prisoner of the crib. He would experience the helplessness a child would, he would experience the difficulties of a teenager, and he would experience, of course, the greatest difficulty of all, which is bringing the good news of God's healing and salvation to a world that perhaps would not accept him. When God comes to show us how much He loves us, He Himself sends His Son, and His Son endures the pain, he endures the desperation, he endures the edges of despair, all we fear in every one of our lives. He turns with love, and he turns with grace, and he turns to his Father at the moment he gives up his soul and he says, "Father, they are Your children, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and the princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flocks,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people,
To make music in the heart. (Howard Thurman).

Author: Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB

Photo by Al Elmes on Unsplash