We should try to bring joy and hope into our world this Christmas

Bring Bethlehem peace into our homes this Christmas. Do something different in our families and communities – an act of sacrifice, prayer or charity – in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are suffering so much.

SOME weeks ago a 12year-old girl, Pillar Jarayseh, lit an oil lantern from the flame that burns continuously at the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem – the place where Christ was born. Pillar passed the light to a 10-yearold scout, Michael Putz, who accompanied the so-called ‘Bethlehem Peace Light’ to Austria, on the first stage of a worldwide journey.

According to Google Maps, it is 5,615 kilometres from Bethlehem in the West Bank to Armagh, but today, the 1st Armagh Scout Troop, marking their 90th anniversary this year, will bring the ‘peace light’, which they collected in Dublin, into Saint Patrick’s Cathedral here in Armagh.

Given all that has been happening in the Holy Land over these past few months, it is particularly special this year to think that thoughts of peace from Bethlehem have been carried from country to country, from scout troop to scout troop, all over the world.

There won’t be the usual festivities, bright lights and celebrations in Manger Square, Bethlehem, this Christmas. Since early October, the horror of war has ravaged the land, bringing death, displacement and devastation.

THE brutal slaughter of innocent civilians, including huge numbers of women and children in Israel and Gaza, has shocked us to the core. The local bishop, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has encouraged his priests and faithful to focus on the spiritual meaning of Christmas this year, as a gesture of solidarity towards all those who have been killed, injured, bereaved or displaced from their homes.

Although we in Ireland live many miles from the Holy Land, we might consider doing something different in our families and communities during this Christmas – perhaps some act of sacrifice, prayer or charity – in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are suffering so much.

Long ago, Isaiah the prophet wrote: ‘The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who lived in the land of deep shadow a light has shone.’

Where can the light of Christ be found in the darkness of our troubled world? It can shine out in goodness and charity to others; in acts of kindness and generosity; in the carolling of children who fill shoeboxes and hampers with goods and food for the needy. It is in the families who have left gifts for the poor at the foot of Christmas trees in our shopping centres and town squares; in the communities who welcome and find homes for migrants and refugees; in the many generous people who make donations to

Trócaire, Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Crosscare or other charities working at home or far away.

The Christmas light of Christ shines in visits to the sick or recently bereaved and in friendly calls to an elderly or lonely neighbour. It shines in a hug of friendship or kiss of peace after an argument or disagreement. It is in the text or phone-call to say, ‘I miss you’, ‘I love you’, ‘Thank you’, ‘I’m sorry. Let’s start over.’

In recent months, the news seems to have been full of darkness and sadness – from war to domestic violence and racist attacks, from the worrying impact of climate change to poverty and homelessness on our streets.

All the more reason for all of us to try bringing joy and hope into our world this Christmas Day. It is important not to be ‘robbed of hope’ but to believe that reconciliation and peace are achievable, that it is possible to dispel the darkness of despair and hatred.

IN the name of the Child of Bethlehem – Light in the darkness; Prince of Peace – I pray that we can all play a part over Christmas in passing on the light and peace of Christ: from heart to heart, from person to person, until it reaches the ends of the Earth.

At this time I invite you to reflect on the brief Bethlehem Peace Light Prayer:

‘Light of Bethlehem, burn brightly in our hearts this Christmas;

Light of Peace, heal the bitter wounds in our community and in our world. Show us the path of forgiveness and love;

Light of Joy, fill our homes with happiness – cast out the darkness of conflict or worry;

Light of Comfort, strengthen the sick, the needy, prisoners and all those who cannot be at home on Christmas Day;

Light of Hope, guide our way forward as we begin a New Year;

Light of the World, teach us to love you more and more each day;

Light of Bethlehem, shine in our lives this Christmas and always. Amen.’

May God bless you and your family this Christmas, and I pray that 2024 will bring peace to everyone.