FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
The exact birthday of Jesus is unknown. Pope Julius I
who was Pope (337-352), is credited with selecting the
25th December to celebrate the coming of the Saviour
into the world. It was a pagan festival in honour of the
‘sun god’, and since we believe Jesus to be the ‘Light
of the World’, the date seemed especially appropriate.
Take Christ out of these days and we are back in the
pagan space. We should guard against returning to
where we were! Let us, rather, be possessed by the
mystery and message of these days. Our God is with
us. As we stand before the crib, may we find there
again the gentle reassurance of His presence, and
may we understand with utter confidence, that we
are loved. Then, let us fall silent and rest secure in the
heart of God. Céad fáilte romhat, a Linbh a rugadh sa
stábla… Nollaig shona.