Mary, the Mother of God

After Christmas Day we no longer hear Christmas carols on radio or elsewhere. However, the church reminds us that Christmas is not a one-day-event but an ongoing part of our lives. Today, with Mary, the Mother of God-become-human, we ponder what Christ’s birth means for humanity every day of the year.  Rather than gathering around the manger like the shepherds, we gather with the one who transforms us into brothers and sisters – each bearing God’s image. We are reminded that each day is Christmas where we can encounter God in the people we know and love and those we find it hard to love.

Christmas 2022

As people entered Adelaide’s Cathedral for Christmas some years ago, they found the Christmas crib smashed. Statues of Mary and Joseph were urinated over, and the Jesus statue smashed. The archbishop instructed that the broken pieces of Jesus be gathered in a basket and places before the altar. The desecrated image and vandalised crib gave people much to think about as the broken bits produced a powerful image of Jesus’ rejection by the world; how people are treated; and, how we treat God’s gift of creation. The broken statue was also an invitation to refashion Christ, to rebuild his body in the world. 

Fourth Sunday of Advent Year

There is a shift today’s gospel with the focus away from the end times to the lead up to Jesus’ birth and Joseph’s reaction to the announcement of Mary’s pregnancy. The words “Do not be afraid” are heard as always when something new happens in the scriptures with a call to be open to God in changing times. Fear continues to be a guest on our national table as well as our personal lives. It motivates the decisions of our national leaders, our neighbours, and friends. It holds us back from a more humane and compassionate future and recognise the burdens all of us, near or far, also carry.