December Messenger: Feast of Light
Jesus describes himself as the “light of the world” (John 8:12). At Christmas time, Jesus depends on us to switch on his light for ourselves and others. So says Donal Neary SJ, editor of the December 2024 Messenger, in his opening article entitled ‘Feast of Light’. He reminds us of the neolithic burial chamber in Newgrange County Meath. This tomb has welcomed light into its dark passages at sunrise on the shortest day of the year for over 3,000 years. It is a true symbol of hope and the triumph of light over darkness in the depths of winter .
Jesuit Father Peter McVerry gives his advice on ‘How Best to Celebrate Christmas’ this year. He says, “Where the far right promote division and hatred, where accommodation centres for refugees are set on fire, where violent assaults including domestic violence are no longer rare, we can best celebrate the birth of Jesus by practicing the Beatitudes.” He emphasizes that every human being is a child of God, created and loved for by God.
The Pope’s Intention for the month of December is that, “We pray this Jubilee Year may strengthen our faith, helping us to recognise the Risen Christ in our daily lives and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.” In his article ‘For Pilgrims of Hope’ Patrick Carberry SJ comments on the Pope’s Intention, reminding us that in the Catholic Church we celebrate the Jubilee year every twenty-five years. And that a new Jubilee year is an invitation for us to review our lives and our relationships in the light of Jesus’ calling, and redirect our ways of being in more fruitful ways.
In a related article, Father Brian Grogan SJ’s six part series on the Pope’s letter for the Jubilee year begins in this months issue of the Messenger. In this first piece entitled ‘Happy Christmas for Migrants?’ he addresses what Christmas will mean for the many thousands of migrants who are now living in Ireland.
Father John Cullen is a priest of the Elphin Diocese and works with the homeless in London. In his piece ‘A New Baby: Everything Changes’ he talks of the importance of children and babies, reminding us of God’s gift to the world in baby Jesus. He says “God did send a baby. What could be younger, newer and fresher? God let someone younger have a go! and what a go it was!”
The December Messenger also includes a ‘Christmas Novena’ with a piece of Scripture and a reflection for each day from 16 – 24 December.
The Messenger has all its regular features as well, – reflections, scripture, cookery, crosswords, children’s pages, nature focus, and RE:LINK.
