Page 37 - LOTN Issue 45

FAITH AND CULTURE

not just as a cheerful interlude in a year
which has been difficult, but because one of
the silver linings to the pandemic was that
families and friends learned to appreciate
more fully the richness of their relationships
and the beauty of working together towards
a common goal. So many discovered the
perhaps hidden treasures which they had
not noticed in the hearts of the people they
loved most. Perhaps many of us will pause
for a moment of deep gratitude because
someone’s self-sacrificial care saved the life
of a loved one or made their situation easier
or more meaningful.
Every Christmas we talk about the star of
Bethlehem. This year, in a unique way, our
homes can be Bethlehem and the lessons
we’ve learned during the pandemic can be,
not one, but many stars leading us there.
"Perhaps, this Christmas, we can open our hearts to the Holy Family in a way that Perhaps, this Christmas, we can open our
has never previously been possible precisely because the virus taught us how to hearts to the Holy Family in a way that has
unfasten the doors of our hearts to others."
never previously been possible precisely
protect Christmas and enable families to come together. They because the virus taught us how to unfasten the doors of our
were prepared to accept more limitations on their freedom, hearts to others.
provided that Christmas could be safe – and such time- May Jesus be born anew in the manger, but let that manger
honoured institutions as Pantomime could go ahead. Christmas be within my own heart and mind and within the hearts and
became the star on the horizon towards which everyone seemed minds of everyone I know and love.
to be walking. Happy Christmas!
Perhaps Christmas this year will be all the more precious,

You may

now kiss

the bride!

Cartoon by the

talented Gina Sim

The priest celebrating the
marriage looks suspiciously
like Fr Peter Barry from St
Francis of Assisi church in
Aberdeen!

Page 37