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“Unholy holidays”. So ran the banner line in a daily paper last week.
Sadly, the event that promised the human race “Peace - to people of Good Will” has constantly been a fact of division. Herod began the dissidence with his slaughter of the innocents – later the puritans sought in some cases, not only to abolish the feast of Christmas, but also to make the day a work day. The story behind the above quoted headline only wishes to dispose the reason and purposes of the holiday. Never mind that there would not be a Christmas and Boxing Day holiday without the universal call to peace. That call heralded by the Angel and preached often by him whom we call “Prince of Peace” - Jesus of Nazareth!
Let us celebrate Jesus’ birth into our world with cribs, our trees and our gifts – and especially with our gifts for those who have come upon hard times.
Let us continue to work for peace as Jesus has asked. Let us be open to all who wish to celebrate with us and respectful to those who choose other paths to walk.
Christmas has long been on the Australian Calendar as a Holy Day, a day for families to gather, to pray, to share food and drink and to give presents in honour of Jesus who came to us as a great gift from God our Father.
“God is born and the powers tremble
the Lord of the heavens lies naked.
The star fades and the brilliance turns to shadow
the Infinite accepts limitation.
Despised – reclothed in glory, the mortal
the King of Eternity”
(Polish Carol) |
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Long may Christmas be Christmas.
Happy, peaceful and joyous greetings to all from the Diocese of Sandhurst!
Monsignor Francis Marriott
Diocesan Administrator
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