Editorial

A Christmas reflection

Peter Westmore

Contents - Dec 2001 - Buy a copy now Editorial: A Christmas reflection - Peter Westmore Tenth Synod of Bishops' statement - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World Church leaders say 'No human cloning' - AD2000 Report East Timor: how the Church is rebuilding a shattered nation - Peter Westmore Obituary: Thomas Kendell (1929-2001) R.I.P. - The passing of a great Catholic educator - Nicholas Kendell St Vitus Cathedral, Prague, and Europe's Christian heritage - Stephen W. Carson Books: 'Soul Survivor' - Philip Yancey book launch at Thomas More Centre - Bill Muehlenberg Books: De Lubac's writings in English translations - Tracey Rowland Letters: 'Familiaris Consortio' 20th anniversary - John Barich Letters: Huge response - Dolores Lightbody Letters: St Thérèse - Fr Jim Dunne CSsR Letters: Pipe-dream - Arnold Jago (Dr) Letters: Refugees - John McLean Books: 'Meaninglessness: The Solutions of Nietzsche, Freud and Rorty' by Michael Casey - Anthony Cappello (reviewer) Books: 'Thomas More On Statesmanship' by Gerard B. Wegemer - Michael Casanova (reviewer) Books: AD Books 'Top Ten' Books: 'Desire Of The Everlasting Hills' by Thomas Cahill - Michael Daniel Books: The Prayer Of Jabez' by Bruce Wilkinson - Bill Muehlenberg (reviewer) Books: Daily Gospel 2002, Bible Diary 2002 - Anthony Cappello (reviewer) New Titles from AD Books Reflection: St Thérèse's 'little way' - Kate Cleary

In contemporary Australia, while Christmas is associated with family gatherings, gift-giving, and holidays in the sun, sand and surf, its true meaning is a celebration of that moment in time when, in the immensely attractive account of St Luke, God, in the person of Jesus Christ, was born in poverty in a stable in Bethlehem, because there was no room for Mary and Joseph in the local inn.

This obscure event, about 2000 years ago, in a distant province of the Roman Empire - the greatest the world had seen to that time - changed things forever. As Luke records the words of the Angels to the shepherds: "Behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people ... A Savior has been born for you" (Luke 1:10-11).

In the powerful and mysterious words of St John the Evangelist, the Word of God "dwelt amongst us, full of grace and truth".

There has been much strife and discord in the world since that time, even, sadly, during the past year. For that reason, we need to reflect on the message of Christmas once again.

That message is not one of mushy sentimentality, but of courage, faith, hope, love and strength. We pray:

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Send forth Your Spirit and You will renew the face of the earth.
Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit,
You have taught the hearts of Your faithful.
In the same Spirit, help us to relish
what is right and always rejoice in Your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

• Peter Westmore: Publisher (E-mail - freedom@connexus.net.au)

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 14 No 11 (December 2001 - January 2002), p. 2