These days of pandemic can inspire us all to be more aware of what we truly value
IT USED to be that mathematicians, scientists and New Testament scholars were those most familiar with the Greek alphabet. In recent times, however, we’ve all heard of delta and omicron – the fourth and 15 letters. Although the word ‘delta’ was already well known in the English language, especially to river enthusiasts, the Greek Little ‘o’, or ‘o mikron’ has rarely been mentioned. Until now, that is. These days, omicron is punching way above its weight!
This time last year we had hoped that by Christmas 2021 the pandemic would have begun to fade into the past. Sadly, our hopes have not been realised. Coronavirus retains its grip, making us feel uncertain, weary of ongoing restrictions, confused by changing messages, and fearful of the latest variant. How much we need to hear those consoling words of the Angel on the first Christmas night: ‘Do not be afraid, I bring you news of great joy!’
Even if our faith has grown weak, or if we have drifted away from God, Christmas invites us back to a personal friendship with our creator. Christmas also challenges followers of Jesus to bring Christ’s message of hope and peace to every encounter in the real and virtual spaces we inhabit.
WITH so much rushing around, and ‘getting and spending’, it’s easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas: that God, the eternal Word, humbled himself to become a human being like us; Almighty God, creator of the universe, became small and vulnerable as a little child lying in a manger – Jesus, Emmanuel: God with us.
It’s only right and proper that we celebrate the joy and happiness of Christ’s birth, but to do so authentically is to remember that the Christ-child embraced the reality of poverty and suffering. It is said that on Christmas night in the year 1223, St Francis wanted to really appreciate the hardship which the Infant Jesus endured, so he created the first Christmas crib using live animals and people.
Francis had the right idea. Somehow the warmth and cleanliness of our Christmas cribs seem a cosy contrast to that smelly stable long ago on a bitter Bethlehem night. I wonder have we diluted the profound mystery of the Incarnation by tinsel-wrapping it in sentimental stories of a silent, fairy-tale night when all was calm and bright?
The challenge to all Christian believers is to be grounded, to bring faith to life, and to make the Incarnation a real and tangible event for those who yearn for good news and hope for a brighter future: from the streets of our big cities where homeless people search for a sheltered space to lie down for the night, to the refugee camps on the borders of Kenya, crowded with thousands of families from South Sudan and Somalia; to those, much nearer home, who struggle to pay overdue bills and who depend upon charitable agencies like St Vincent de Paul society to help them over Christmas.
The seventeenth century German mystic Angelus Silesius said: ‘Were Christ to be born in 1,000 stables it would be to no avail were he not born in our hearts.’
On that note I was pleased to discover last week that all during Advent, families from the parish of Cooley in Co. Louth had been taking turns at sleeping out overnight under the bridge at Bush to remember the homeless and to raise funds for the Fr Peter Mc Verry Trust. I thank God also this Christmas for all those who have been bringing faith to life during Covid-19. Since the start of the pandemic, the light of Christ has been shining out in countless acts of love and generosity – from healthcare workers, caring neighbours and volunteers, to teachers, shop-workers, clergy and so many others expressing in concrete ways the compassion and hope of Christ – ‘God with us’.
These days of pandemic are also inspiring many people to reflect on their personal life story and faith journey, and to become more aware of what they truly value – like family, friends and loved ones; health and well-being; the need to be more grateful; the call to be more sensitive to the suffering and struggles of others.
I shall never forget the image of Pope Francis standing in stark solitude in St Peter’s Square on Friday 27 March 2020 at the start of the pandemic. He reflected on the story of Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41) and the words Jesus spoke to the terrified disciples in the boat, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?’
POPE FRANCIS pointed out that this time of pandemic is calling us to reevaluate our lives and to develop a deeper trust in God. He said: ‘Faith begins when we realise we are in need of salvation. We are not self-sufficient. By ourselves we founder. We need the Lord, like ancient navigators needed the stars. Let us invite Jesus into the boats of our lives. Let us hand over our fears to him, so that he can conquer them. Like the disciples, we will experience that with him on board there will be no shipwreck.’
In times of trouble and uncertainty, like those we are going through these days, I find myself reflecting on another two Greek letters – not delta and omicron, but alpha and omega – the first and last letters of the alphabet. Early Christians, especially in times of danger and suffering, chose these letters to express their complete faith and trust in God and in Jesus Christ. And so this Christmas we can pray:
Today a Saviour has been born for us. He is Christ the Lord – the Alpha and the Omega, yesterday and today, the beginning and the end. All times and seasons belong to him. To him be glory and honour, forever and ever. Amen.
Happy Christmas to you all.