Sr. Kieran Kneaves, DC, Spiritual Moderator of the Society of St. Vincent dePaul USA offers reflection thought starters for Christmas.
CHRISTMAS
December 25
Gospel: (Luke 2:1-14)
Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child and she gave birth to her firstborn Son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds living in the fields and keeping watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold I bring you good news of great joy…for a savior has been born for you who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Reflection:
Why do we wish each other “Merry Christmas”? Surely, not because Jesus was born into a perfect world and not because we have a perfect world or perfect families today. “Merry Christmas”? Perhaps not for all. But because of Jesus, all of us can celebrate a Christmas that is joyful and blessed. The Savior of the world was born during the night of the year when darkness is the longest. Jesus comes for the people in dark places. The real, lasting, and deep joy is that the Light shines there. That is why we can say to each other “Merry Christmas”! (Living Liturgy, p.24)
Vincentian Meditation:
In working to restore all things in Christ we are not alone. God is with us: Emmanuel. His poor also are close to us. May we never forget that the ultimate source of hope and joy for the poor lies in our sharing with them our own deep personal conviction, born of prayer, that with the birth of Christ the Kingdom of God has come; a kingdom of justice, of love and of peace. May your celebration of Christmas be a joyful one!(McCullen, Deep Down Things, p. 366)
Discussion: (Share thoughts on the readings after a moment of silence)
How have we celebrated a “Merry Christmas” of joy and peace this year?
Closing Prayer:
On this day, joy was reborn into the world,
-may we share the joy of Christ with everyone today and always.
On this day, hope was reborn into the world,
-may we bring the hope of Christ to those who are most in need.
On this day, love was reborn into the world,
-may we bring the love of Christ to others in compassion,
On this day, peace was reborn into the world,
-may we bring the peace of Christ to our family and our world. Amen
Sr. Kieran offers weekly reflections for use at meetings of the Society.
Tags: Christmas 2009, Kneaves, SVDP
Sister Kieran Kneaves. She was in my band. She and I had the same big Sister in the Seminary. Peace, Sister Kieran, Peace and joy.
Don’t you wish we could all learn to wish to everyone, “Peace and Joy” to you this Season! ‘Merry’ is a word that seems to come from England, and I don’t care about England. ‘Merry’ seems like a word the wealthy have and can afford to have. I don’t really care about the wealthy anymore at all.
I care about Peace. I care about joy–or its lack thereof.
As for the phrase, ‘the Poor’, let’s get specific here:
I care that soldiers commit suicide rather than go to War or come home from its effects. And it is against the Law for the President to write a letter to the family over that. There is no Peace, or joy in that.
I care about PTSD in soldiers at home who become homeless and wander. They need peace and joy.
I care about the undocumented worker who comes with hope to this country and is talked about like trash. There is no Peace or Joy in that.
I know nuns who packaged over 500 boxes of food for this Christmas for families. Ok, well and good. These families will eat at Christmastime. Now what about the rest of the year?
Poo poo on the ‘Merry’ part of Christmas. All hail to ‘Peace and Joy this Christmastide!’
You write well, Kiernan, but write more specifically, and tell the rest of us out here, specifically, what you envision us doing for the sad and sorry state of this world that fights for a piece of joy, and an understanding of just what is Peace. gh/Alma