Reflections for Christmas 2018

A few days ago I saw a woman walking down from Communion with a very young (like a few days’ old) baby in her arms. The way she was holding it we could see its cute little face and hands, and she herself looked a picture of happiness with her newly born infant. It naturally made me think of Christmas approaching though this baby looked smaller than the images usually created for us by the cribs in our homes, churches and public places. It also reminded me of a grandson born in September last – another beautiful example of humanity.

Alas another thought did occur to me: soon the killing of unborn babies will take place in Irish hospitals and clinics, paid for by our taxes and encouraged by almost all political parties, now that the protection of the unborn by the 8^th Amendment has been removed. I don’t want to dwell on the sadness this causes me but I had to mention it in the context of Christmas; will the irony of rushing through the most inappropriately titled “Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018” even occur to our politicians as they (as many no doubt will) attend Christmas ceremonies celebrating the birth of our Saviour as an innocent little child, or join in singing hymns such as When a Child is Born or Mary’s Boy Child not to mention the line “Round yon Virgin Mother and Child” in the classic Silent Night? Maybe some will. Maybe reflecting on the baby in the manger will leave an impression that will prevent some contemplating an abortion in the New Year from going ahead with it. That would be something.

To move on: 2018 left some very positive memories. Who could forget the atmosphere in Croke Park when the Popemobile carried Pope Francis into the stadium to a tumultuous welcome? Or the reception as he was driven round the streets of Dublin? He rose to the occasion manfully in every way during the day and a half he was with us – in his address in Dublin Castle, in his visit to survivors of abuse, with the homeless in Church Street. He earned our love, affection and admiration at all stages, perhaps never more so that in his Act of Contrition at the beginning of the Mass in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. One could bemoan the fact that after three months of almost unbroken sunshine the weather in Knock and Phoenix Park was inclement, but it did mean that those who were there really wanted to be there! Thank you Pope Francis for lighting up our year.

A few days ago, I attended the funeral of a former teaching colleague. That funeral was a celebration of an inspirational life, dedicated to God and her fellow human beings. Coming in the month of November already dedicated to the Holy Souls I sensed that this lady must definitely have vaulted over Purgatory. Though sad in one way, it was wonderful to reflect on seventy years commitment to her vocation as one of the very first members of Opus Dei in Ireland.

So as we near the end of 2018, we could quote O’Casey’s Captain Boyle and say that the world is in a state of chassis, or we could go back to the Gospel readings of these days close to the end of the Liturgical Year which mention judgment a lot, but also reward – the reward of being faithful whatever the cost. This country kept the faith for 1,500 years from the time of Saint Patrick and while there may be fewer Christians in the years ahead, the vacuous and uninspiring leaders of this generation will pass on and a new dawn will come from the embers of faith left among the indigenous Irish, and perhaps stoked back to a flame by newcomer Irish of Polish, Filipino, Brazilian or Nigerian ethnicity.

Because the Christian message is a message of salvation. We need it, and however much it is drowned out by other considerations, let’s just pare things back to the birth of that little child, born to be our Saviour. And let’s welcome him into our hearts this Christmas more than ever.

2019 will bring challenges to all of us. Bring them on!

Happy Christmas!