We celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family immediately after Christmas. This seems entirely natural to us, but this feast is a very recent innovation! It was only introduced in 1921, and moved to its current position in the calendar in 1969. A recognition of the importance of the family, at least as we understand […]
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Read More »
The writers of the Gospels faced a unique challenge when they sat down to write their accounts of the life of Jesus. How do you communicate the significance of the event they had experienced, for all of humanity, for all time? However they did also face one challenge which is common to all writers –
In the final week of our Advent, so close to Christmas, we hear how Mary said yes to God’s plan. We also hear how King David muses about how he has a plan for God… “Since I’ve been so successful, maybe I should build a house for you.” To which God replies “You build a
Fourth Sunday of Advent Read More »
“Rejoice always!” “Rejoice always” says Paul. Not just on Sundays, or weddings, or when we feel things are going well. Paul has a tendency to say what he means. “Rejoice always” is not “Rejoice when you feel up for it”. Isaiah rejoices because “the Lord God will make justice and praise spring up before all
Third Sunday of Advent Read More »
“Ev’ry valley shall be exalted, and ev’ry mountain and hill made low …” Isaiah’s words as set to music by George Frederic Handel in his masterpiece The Messiah. For many of us these words are as closely linked to Christmas as fir trees and reindeer. But I’m afraid, just as there is no mention of
Second Sunday of Advent Read More »