Fr. Graham Writes: 11th January 2025
What has been the highlight of Christmas for you so far? Have you noticed any change in your prayer or devotion to Jesus? Each church season has a grace of its own. We might experience the joy of the angels, the haste to get to Mass like the shepherds or the silence of Saint Joseph as he gazed upon Jesus.
We are still in the Christmas season at least until 11 January (The Baptism of the Lord) or even to 2 February (Candlemas). Our crib stays in place until then. So, the celebration of Christmas continues even though life begins or seems to have returned to normal.
The shepherds went back to work after they left the manger. But their life was never the same again, they were changed by seeing Jesus. Our lives are changed if we have worshipped Him as we celebrate the same event of His birth. Our everyday normal life is where our faith is put into practice. Just as Saint Augustine said, "We are an Easter people and alleluia is our song", I think we can also say, "We are a Christmas people and gloria is our song." To give glory to God in everything, whether we are poor shepherds or wise Magi. Ordinary days are transformed into extra-ordinary days and the same goes for us. It was an ordinary day when John baptised Jesus, but John never forgot it, nor do we. Baptism proclaims a sound from heaven invoking our vocation from God. Our corporate vocation is to give glory to God by listening to His voice and pleasing Him in all we do. This is our gift to Him. Christmas can then continue all year.
May God bless you in 2026.
With my prayer for you.
Fr Graham









