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Bishop
Boyce's Christmas Message 2005 |
THE
CATHOLIC DIOCESE
OF RAPHOE |
“Light in our Darkness”
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Christmas
is a feast that touches us all, bringing a promise of peace into our turmoil,
and a ray of light into our darkness. The King of peace is born as a Child to
bring us salvation and to pave the way back to heaven for his people. Angels
proclaim in the skies: “Glory to God on high, and on earth peace among his
chosen people.”
We
all come to Christmas with various expectations. The year that is ending may
have robbed some people of their peace of heart and they look forward to concord
and reconciliation around them and within them. Others are sick or infirm and
they long for healing and strength. Others still are searching for meaning, and
yearn to find the truth.
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The
God-child born of the Virgin Mary at
Bethlehem
is for all who open their hearts to his coming a pledge of truth, of light and
new life.
He
came as light into our darkness, yet many did not accept Him. The star of
Bethlehem
remains still today a star in the dark night for many. ‘He came to his own but
his own received Him not’ is the sad reflection by
St
John
the Evangelist. (Jn. 1:11) To those who have time for Him, He brings hope; to
those who welcome Him, He brings life and strength, even in the midst of pain
and sorrow.
Many
will go to the Crib and kneel for a moment in silent prayer. Children will look
on in wonder and believe. They shall be blessed. One day, this little Child will
say: “Unless you change and become like little children, you shall not enter
the Kingdom of heaven.” At Christmas we do well to become children at heart
again.
His
little arms outstretched in the Crib already seem to invite us: “Come, follow
me and I will give you rest”. His
mother Mary and St Joseph did that, so did St Peter, St John and the Apostles;
so did St Stephen and the Martyrs. A countless host of good people down the
centuries did likewise. They found peace and fulfilment. His little divine arms
are outstretched for each of us. Let us not be deaf to his voice, or blind to
the light He brings.
At this time of rapid change, of uncertainty and anxiety for many, we do
well to hold on to the firm anchor of our faith. We shall be blessed if we make
time and room in ourselves for this Divine Child and his message of eternal
life. His words are true; they enlighten the mind and bring peace to the soul
and they never pass away.
My
prayer and Christmas wish is that the glare of our streets and stores may not
dim the light of the star of
Bethlehem
in your lives. I pray rather that no matter in what circumstances you celebrate
Christmas, the Nativity of the Lord may shed light in the surrounding darkness,
bring peace to troubled hearts, and give hope as we place our hand in His hand
and walk with confidence into the future.
A
happy and blessed Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
X
Philip Boyce
Bishop of Raphoe