Today is unique in the Catholic Calendar, in that wherever you are, people's thoughts are on celebration. I suspect it is much the same everywhere in Europe, America etc. Indeed wherever Christianity has ingrained its identity on the culture and national identity. Whereas many Christians may despair on this day, that it has become secularised, materialistic and lost it's true meaning, I am seeing it differently.
I rejoice that people want to be with their families, perhaps avoid work, buy gifts for each other and display a general sense of good will. After all, everyone knows the origin of Christmas, which makes it all the more special that our country still observes it. It is but a small leap of Faith to put the 'Mass' back into 'Christmas'.
Today in Britain we are covered in snow. A rarity, to be sure. It's amazing the way it causes such disruption for us. But it doesn't come as loud or sudden or powerfully destructive; it falls gently, settled gradually and leaves such a beautiful sight that it almost comes as a surprise when it feels so icy cold! In that sense it stands as a memorable metaphor for the Word of God: speaking softly, falling where it will and settling amongst us in varying degrees despite the contradictory way it is born in a cold stable in seeming vulnerability and poverty.
I'm sorry not to have written more on my Blog recently. It is enough to say that today is a very happy time and all feels well.
Let us pray:
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that this new light of Your Incarnate Word which shines upon our minds by faith, may be reflected in our deeds.
Through Christ our Lord
Amen.
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