By Fr Michael Lowcock, Diocesan Administrator of Townsville
“CHRISTMAS is about children” we say.
It is because we see the joy and excitement on their faces at the simplest of things.
We see their sense of wonder at the mystery of a child in a crib.
We see their simple joy – not in expensive gifts, but in the unwrapping and the excitement of family watching them.
The first Christmas too was the simple joy of Mary and Joseph in wonder at the child Jesus – the visitors, shepherds and wise ones, coming to see some mystery of a child newly born.
It is said that in December 1903, after many attempts, the Wright brothers were successful in getting their “flying machine” off the ground.
Thrilled, they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine: “We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas.”
Katherine hurried to the editor of the local newspaper and showed him the message.
He glanced at it and said, “How nice. The boys will be home for Christmas.”
He totally missed the big news – the Wright boys had flown.
Many of us are thrilled at the gifts, food and festivities of the holiday season, ignoring the fact that Christ’s birth is the true reason for this “holiday season”.
Emmanuel – God is with us – reminds us to experience God in the simple joys, in a renewed sense of wonder and amazement at a child born to us and in knowing the mystery of birthing – a fantastic gift is entrusted to us.
May we experience a renewed Good News this Christmas in the simple gifts opened up to us.
A Happy Christmas and may there be many joys of “God with us” birthed in our lives in 2015.
