Today we celebrate the Holy Family of Jesus. In the Gospel we hear, “Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies.”(Luke 2: 46-47)

Mary and Joseph had travelled to Jerusalem as they did each year for the Passover. This was a three day journey and they travelled with a large group of relatives and acquaintances. On their way back they found Jesus was missing, so they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.

“And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, ‘Son why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” Jesus replied, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know I must be in my Father’s house?” Then we hear Jesus went back with them and lived under their authority.

Mary and Joseph did what any good parents would do.

Jesus was questioning and looking for answers which is what all teenagers do.

Our concern for our own families should extend to other families in difficulties; struggling with poverty abuse and alcohol addiction. Society has a duty of care.

Jesus was part of an extended family and leading a normal life.

Joseph was a carpenter or builder and Jesus learnt the trade while Mary did what all mothers did, caring for the family and the home.

These days families are fortunate if the mother can fulfil her primary role of nurture and care for the family and home, at least while the children are young albeit with possibilities for personal development in working part time or full time later on. Fathers living with their families fulfil their primary role as protectors and providers but with ‘hands on’ in the family ideally. Job shares, part time working and variable hours can help a great deal with family cohesion.  

Free enterprise economics often give little or no consideration to the family.

The Holy Family account gives us the Judeo-Christian family model which harmonises with nature.

In a Pastoral letter from Bishop John Wilson, Archdiocese of Southwark he reminds us; “See what kind of love the Father has given us to us that we should be called children of God.”(1 John 3:1) He continues, “Our identity as the beloved children of God is the foundation of our discipleship as the family of God. The Lord Jesus came into the world in the embrace of a family. Through him, we are drawn into the very life of God as brothers and sisters in Christ”.

In the Gospel reading for the fourth week of Advent (last Sunday) we hear the words spoken by Elizabeth the cousin of Mary. “Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” (Luke 1.42)

God’s plan for saving humanity depended upon Mary’s “YES” to God’s messenger, the angel Gabriel.

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be according to your word.” (Luke1: 26 – 38)

Creation was waiting to hear these words.

Each of us is unique. There has never been anyone like us and there never will be again. Our gifts and talents; our personality, equip us for a vocation and mission which is irreplaceable.

But how do we discover our calling? By looking to God. We are his beloved children. Our loving Father God desires our happiness and fulfilment and that we should play our part in society and the world.

We are called and chosen like Mary and have our YES to speak. This begins in the here and now – the ordinary everyday circumstances and situations of daily living. The teaching of Jesus and of his Body the Church, show us how.

On this Christmas day made possible by Mary’s YES we celebrate the birth of Jesus who has come to show us who we really are in God’s plan, in the present time and for eternity.

Nothing will ever be the same again.     

What a wonderful day.

In the Gospel for this Sunday, the third week of advent, we hear about the powerful proclamation of John the Baptist the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets.

“I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke3:16)

In the Gospel reading last week we heard how John called people to repentance meaning a complete change of heart. We hear in this Gospel people asking what must they do. Share with those in need says John and he tells the tax collectors and soldiers to be honest and just in their dealings with others and be content with what they have.

People were so impressed by John’s teaching that they thought John might be the Christ but John tells them no. I baptise you with water but the one who is coming will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.

John shed a light on the way many were living. The greed of the tax collectors and the cruelty of the Roman soldiers. They recognised the truth of what John was saying.

To be close to God means to be happy. They were not happy. They were faced with a decision. John’s baptism was a sign of a repentant heart and a new beginning; they were washed clean.

But John was preparing them for the arrival of Jesus. Advent is a time of preparation for the birthday of Jesus which changed everything.

Jesus by his death and Resurrection opens the way for a new life in the Holy Spirit for those baptised in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

What can we do to be closer to God this Advent? An Advent gift to those in need through an agency such as CAFOD perhaps? To be kinder, more gentle with those around us? To forgive anyone we have not yet forgiven?

Peace on earth and goodwill to all is a fitting way to describe the Christmas message.  

What must WE do?

“A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill be made low.”

These words from Isaiah are part of this Sunday’s Gospel and describe the mission of John the Baptist, the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Luke 3:1-6

John proclaimed “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

The Gospel opens with the historian gospel writer Luke, outlining the political situation at the time of Jesus.

Jesus lived at a particular time in a particular geographic area in a particular social and political setting.

But was Jesus not only a real historical figure but the Son of God? This is the all important and key question?

If Jesus was a good and wise man who cared for the poor and those looked down upon in his day; a man who did amazing things, then we can move on with our lives. There have been many such people.

But if Jesus was the Christ, the anointed sent by God as Saviour of humankind, whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas, then this changes everything for the world for all time and is totally life changing for each person individually.

Understanding what Jesus said and did while on earth is essential, indispensable and crucial for our lives. Namely the gospel teaching, healing and other miracles, and the death of Jesus on the cross and above all his Resurrection from the dead.

God has a plan for our eternal destiny, that we should be with him forever.

It all starts with repentance as John the Baptist taught. Metanoia – a complete change of heart; becoming who we are truly meant to be in God’s sight; the Father’s plan for us since the beginning of time and from our mother’s womb.  

Dear Jesus may I see more clearly who you really are this Christmas and in so doing discover who I am.

Amen

Advent comes from the Latin word Adventus meaning coming or arrival.

The arrival of a Saviour has been predicted over millennia. Much can be found in the Old Testament especially in the book of Isaiah (7.14).

Fantastic, unbelievable. This is the story of Christmas; that God our Creator sent to earth a Saviour Jesus who would totally change everything for all time.

This is worth celebrating and Advent also reminds us of the second coming of Jesus which is what this Sunday gospel is all about.

“Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and stand with confidence before the Son of Man.”  (Luke 21 :36)

This is not what the shops or media tell us – or the endless back to back American films on TV all of which have the same template for the Christmas story most without Christ.

Peace and goodwill on earth are hard won as is also peace within ourselves. Only Jesus can deliver and we need to turn to him for our hope to be realised. It cannot happen without a Saviour.

God sends his only begotten Son to bring new life to all.

A time of preparation, a new beginning starting again, a way forward.

It starts with peace offered to all.