2003

Wednesday 17th December 2003
A Christmas Message from Bishop Michael Malone
A friend of mine spent last Christmas in China having resided there for several months on a teaching assignment. I asked her how she observed Christmas given that the external expression of religious belief is discouraged in that country.

She surprised me by saying that her Christmas had been quite inspiring and very meaningful. On Christmas morning she taught four classes (since Christmas Day was just another day) after which she returned to her flat to eat whatever leftovers were in the fridge. She spent the rest of the day reading and reflecting on the Scripture passages about the birth of Jesus.

She went on to describe how, deprived of certain freedoms, she came to realise how important it was to live your faith rather than wear a badge of faith which seemed to be so superficial. She remembered many endless parish meetings at home where people talked for hours and seemed to do very little.

A Christ-less Christmas in China encouraged her to see how vital it was to live a Christian life rather than merely talk about it.

Christmases have come and gone and they will continue to come and go. Each year we proclaim: "Glory to God in the highest and peace to people of good will." (Luke 2:14). Are we any better off? Is the world more peaceful 2000 years along the track? Are we more just or fair in our treatment of others because of Christmas? Do we go out of our way to assist those in need around us?

I think our answer would have to be a resounding NO! Look around us: war, violence, dislocation, injustice, poverty, broken relationships, sickness, unemployment, financial hardships …

Does it make any difference in China - or anywhere for that matter - whether Jesus was born or not?

Are we ready to hear again the message of Christmas? STOP! BE STILL! LISTEN! LISTEN TO YOUR HEART!

Do you remember how you sat up all night with a sick relative? Do you remember sending that meal across the street to the woman who had lost her husband?

Do you remember when you dropped in unexpectedly to surprise an estranged friend? Do you remember when you stayed back after work to help a colleague catch up?

If you can remember experiences like these, then you have made a difference. You have helped to turn someone's life around. You gave someone hope! You have lived your faith! This is the message of Christmas.

Peace will come if we work to achieve it. Justice will be done if we promote it. Poverty will be relieved if we are generous. Dislocation will not occur if we are welcoming.

Then, Jesus Christ will be born into our lives and Christmas will have meaning for us.

Blessings and peace to you and yours this Christmas!

Bishop Michael Malone

As Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle, the Most Reverend Michael Malone is the pastoral leader of about 147,000 Catholics in the Hunter and Manning regions. The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle provides pastoral, welfare, educational and health services for people in these communities.

Click here for Christmas Mass times in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

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