December 24th

Our Camino is nearly at an end! There is something so special about this Christmas Eve, 2023—we have the shortest fourth week of Advent possible! It will last only a few hours before we are back to celebrate our Christmas Mass—lovingly called ‘Midnight Mass’.

The shops will soon be shut and, if you have not got that ‘must have gift’, then you will have to wait until the January sales and save yourself a fortune. I remember, with great affection, the traditions of other families that I have been privileged to share. Some years ago, before the pandemic hit, on Christmas Eve I joined a family from eastern Europe as we shared their traditional carp dinner; due to commitments in the parish I could not stay to enjoy the whole twelve courses (in honour of the 12 Apostles of Jesus), but I did feel well and truly blessed. The Gospel of our final Advent mass echoes once again the account of Annunciation in Luke. Once again we hear God’s plea not to be afraid. Once again, we see Mary putting her total trust in God: let it be done according to your Word. (Lk 1:38)

In a few short hours we will celebrate that saving God who comes to visit us in the form of a child, innocent and full of wonder. We are saved by a God who first comes to us as a child! In his adult ministry Jesus saw the important of children, as he welcomed and encouraged them. We are called, as a Church, to ensure that our children are always safe and well; like Jesus we are invited to learn from them. In the prayer, the father blesses his child, John who will grow up to be the Baptist ‘to go before the Lord, to prepare a way for him, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sin.’ (Lk 1: 76-77). As the night draws in tonight, we are buoyed up by the lights of our Christmas Trees and the simple carols that we sing together that give us hope. I hope that this Advent Camino has brought you light in these difficult times. I urge you to go to First Mass of Christmas on this most sacred of nights. Mass will be on your television screens later this evening-even the BBC and ITV acknowledge the sacred in these secular times. On this holy night, we remember that the Risen Lord will ‘visit us to give light to those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace’ (Lk 1: 79). Please send in any prayer requests that will be placed in the crib here in Bolton tonight; I hope that Christmas 2023 will be remembered for the right reasons. I hope that this holiday season will give you respite from being weighed down by the fear of economic hardship, the Ukrainian War escalating, and the lack of true peace in the Holy Land. I pray that the darkness brought us by these fears, will be blown away by Christmas light. As the good Pope St. John XXIII reminded us of sixty years ago:

I hope that you have a wonderful family Christmas, surrounded by those you love and who love you-even though they might not be physically present with you. Keep safe and well; may you have a very happy and blessed Christmas. While our Advent Camino, might end tonight I pray that we might be able to walk together again during Lent. As the great parable of Final Judgement tells us we do not go to the Lord on our own-our actions and attitude towards others go with us. Jesus reminds us. “as long as you did it for the least of these my sisters or brothers, you did it for me.” (Matt 25: 40).

Today: see if anyone needs help in the kitchen; if you are in the kitchen then don’t be afraid to ask for help! Enjoy your feast.

We pray as you light the Christmas Candle

May the Lord bless you and keep you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzqrWae5lK4

Let us be still in the darkness of our sacred space,

And listen to the quiet around us.

For even in the quiet, there is the gentle being with others.

Let us feel the warmth of our community,

Knowing we are not alone.

For in the quiet shadow is the glow of life within all.

Let us know in the darkness the gift each candle bears,

A small flame, a diminutive light—

Yet the wondrous gift to kindle another's glow.

Let us be in awe at this moment as we each take up the flame

And the light envelopes this room,

As hope for peace and goodwill fill this night.

So may it be.

(Lisa Rubin)

Send any prayer requests to: vocations@salesians.org.uk