Good news of great joy

And God coming into the world in the person of Jesus matters profoundly for all of us regardless of our religious tradition.

The Republican candidate sometimes posts Bible verses on his popular Facebook page, and late on Tuesday night shared with supporters Matthew 1:20-21, the passage where an angel tells Joseph that Mary is pregnant with a son to be named Jesus, asking him to take her as his wife.

In all our Churches, during the Midnight Mass, and after the reading of the Gospel, the priest celebrating the Mass will place the image of the child Jesus in the centre of the Crib with Mary and Joseph on each side of the child. Can you imagine the consternation of these two young inexperienced people as Mary was about to deliver God’s chosen baby in a barn and neither knew anything about birthing a baby. It was evident that the teachers and students were well-rehearsed and they did a fantastic job.

The prophet Jeremiah foretold that the messiah woud be descended from the lineage of King David some 600-plus years before Jesus’s birth.

Somehow, even the three wise men, who followed the Star of Bethlehem to Jesus after He was born, saw beyond the present and into the future and they worshipped Him.

What an inspirational story! How many Christians today are forced to leave their homeland simply because they believe that the child born in a stable in Bethlehem is the saviour of the world, God made flesh?

Throughout this wonderful season, there needs to be room in our Christmas recollections for others – particularly those less fortunate than ourselves: the down and out, the homeless, the refugees, the lonely, the single parent, the prisoners, the sick, the addicted and the shut-ins. The celebration now is no longer focused on Jesus, but on many other things that are totally alien to Jesus and His teachings and commands. Take time in this Christmas season to thank God for his great gift in Jesus Christ and to pray for this city and for our world.

8 He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. You will never experience that glorious feeling of discipleship and relationship with God.

As we become immersed in the joy of Christmas with all its festivities, it is well to remember that Jesus is our model for living. Without it we are just blowing in the wind.

No doubt, there are hardships that we endure – there are far too many in need. We wrestle in our own communities with loneliness and isolation.

As we gather with family and friends this Christmas, may we remember the people of every creed and nation who are not able to gather with those they love due to persecution, war and hatred. Oh, Lord, the compassion that pours out of the heart of those who know him. And really, when we think about it the date doesn’t matter.