Here is 'The Messenger' downloable for free: December Magazine.
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Dear brothers and sisters,
As I write there is much in the world to give us pause or even cause a tear. The most recent budget has made life more expensive for many of the poorest, and whatever the rights and wrongs involved, people we know, farmers, pensioners and others will be badly affected. Within the Church the failure, again, by those in senior positions on the important subject of ‘safeguarding’ continues to hurt both victims and those of us who care for and about them. Add to these our own struggles and life can often times seem harsh.
The psalms should be a great comfort to us, whatever situation we’re in (good or bad) as they cover every human emotion. One of the most well known, and one I bring to folk who are housebound or bereaved, is Psalm 121: ‘I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.’ What joy and comfort we might have if we would only ‘lift our eyes’ to the Lord. It is from Him that we receive what we need in every circumstance of life.
What does any of this have to do with Christmas? Christmas is the time when we see God acting, when we, as it were, lift our eyes to the hills and see God coming down to us. God is not hiding away, He is not inactive, He is the God who comes, enters this world, partakes of this world, suffers in this world, and by so doing changes this world, and all who follow Him for the better. After that first Christmas we can never again say that we are left alone, never again say that God doesn’t care, never again look in longing for help only none. Christmas is God’s supreme gift to the world, the gift of Himself. If God loves us so much that He would leave heaven and come down we can be sure that at all times He is ready to help us if only we would ‘lift our eyes’. Truly Christmas is a time of ‘God with us’, God for us, God beside us.
This Christmas, this New Year, and indeed at all times, ‘lift your eyes’ and see God coming to help you. He is waiting with His hands held out longing for you to invite Him in, all we need do is ask. May this Christmas be a time when you look and find Him beside you, and in that presence may You find help and hope. Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.
With love and blessings,
Fr Mike