Dear Friends,
As I write this message, Sydney has been placed into another ‘COVID lockdown’. The timing, just days out from Christmas has been a blow for many as interstate family Christmas celebrations have to be cancelled and many people face the prospect of celebrating alone.
Despite these challenges, it is my humble prayer that the celebration of Christmas lifts our hearts above present trials and difficulties as we recall the angelic proclamation: “To you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord.”
These words cannot leave us indifferent. No matter what the future holds. HE IS ALREADY HERE, inviting us to “Come, let us adore Him”. Jesus, the Incarnate Word, offers everything good, true and beautiful.
Over this Christmas season, we will celebrate and welcome the Prince of Peace, who came as a baby in a manger 2000 years ago. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us”. It is a mind-blowing reality.
But as well as the baby in the manger, let us this Christmas welcome Jesus who is already here with us. Jesus present in our spouse, our children, our family, our friends, the person on the bus next to us, the homeless person in the street, the person with whom I disagree – all made in the image of God who is with us.
Perhaps this Christmas with its disrupted travel plans and cancelled arrangements, you might notice a neighbour who is lonely, whose family could not make it to be with them. Perhaps you have an extra place at your Christmas table or you could take them some Christmas pudding and have a cup of tea.
The COVID-19 crisis has shown us more than ever that we need one another. We are not built for isolation. It has highlighted our vulnerability, but also shown us to be adaptable and innovative. We have been taught many lessons about ourselves that we can carry forward with us.
On behalf of the SVD AUS Province, I thank you for your friendship and support of the Divine Word Missionaries in 2020.
May this Christmas, however it is spent, bring you and your family joy and peace. The peace for which our hearts are longing. The peace which is found in the Word who became flesh and dwells among us.
Yours in the Word,
Fr Asaeli Rass SVD
Provincial.
