Baptism of Jesus, 8th January 2012

 The Eucharistic Congress Bell

The Eucharistic Congress Bell will be travelling around the Diocese of Ossory from 8th to 19th January 2012. The aim of the Bell travelling around the Diocese and all around the other Irish Dioceses is to call people to prayer and bring them to a greater awareness of the forthcoming International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin next June.

The Bell will be welcomed into the diocese by Bishop Seamus Freeman during a short prayer service on Rice Bridge, Waterford at 2.00pm on this Sunday afternoon. We encourage as many parishioners as possible to travel to Waterford and participate in the ceremony on Rice Bridge.

Following prayers the Bell will be taken up the River Suir by boat to Polerone in Mooncoin Parish where the local people will become the first parish community to receive the Bell in the Diocese of Ossory.  Visitors are welcome at Polerone and Mooncoin for the event.  (Polerone is accessed via the road which runs along the side of Mooncoin Parish Church).

During the following ten days the Bell will be taken to many of the parishes in the Diocese of Ossory. 

It will be our parish community’s turn to welcome the Bell on next Friday evening and Saturday morning.  The Bell will arrive outside James Stephen’s GAA Club, Larchfield at about 7.00pm on Friday evening.  From there it will be brought in procession to St. Fiacre’s Church where it will be received by Bishop Freeman and the Parish Clergy.  Our parish has been asked to host a concelebrated Mass for the young people of the diocese at St. Fiacre’s Church on Friday evening.  This will take place at 8.00pm.  We appeal to as many as possible to come along and pray with our young people in the presence of the Bell.

On Saturday morning the Bell will be transferred to St. Patrick’s Church in time for 9.30am Mass.  The Bell will be taken to the Black Abbey (10.30am – 11.45am), the Capuchin Friary (12.00 noon – 1.00pm), City Hall and High Street (2.00pm – 4.00pm) MacDonagh Junction (4.00pm – 6.00pm), St. John’s Church (6.30pm Mass), to meet the Mayor and Borough Councillors at City Hall (7.30pm) for procession to St. Mary’s Cathedral for 8.00pm Mass.

Frs. Dan, Roderick and Liam appeal to all our community to come out in response to the Bell’s call to prayer.  This is an opportunity to join in solidarity with people throughout our land and beyond in prayerfully preparing for the Eucharistic Congress in June of this year.

Pray For Our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Michael Kennedy, “Weggis”, Waterford Road.  Funeral Prayers at his residence at 11.00am on Sunday followed by removal to St. Fiacre’s Church for 12 noon Requiem Mass; burial in Foulkstown Cemetery. Maureen Hanrahan, Tullaherin. Hilda Bayliss, Cuffesgrange. Lizzie Brennan,  Poulgour.  John Hayes, Gaol Street & London. Tim Hickey, Perth, Australia & late of Newpark.

Anniversaries: Billy & Anastasia Hickey (Sat 6.15), Teresa Holden (Sat 7.00), Dick O'Hara (Sun 9.30), Tommy Hickey (Sun 10.00), Michael Kenny & John Condon (Sun 10.30), Sean O’Dwyer (Sun 11.00), Teresa Walsh (Sun 12.00), Catherine Dunphy (Sun 12.30), Paddy O’Byrne (Tues 10.30), Bridget Marchetti (Wed 10.30), Mary Reynolds (Thurs 10.30), Peg Larkin (Fri 10.30), Martin McCorry (Sat 9.30 Months Mind), Roseanna Smyth, Eileen Kenny, Tom Purcell, John, Mamie & Terry Brett, Maura Molloy, Christopher & Mary Ryan, Patrick, Delia & Margaret Taylor, Rita Bourke, Mick & Annie Ruth, Mary Kate Hayes, Jimmy Coyne, Peg Larkin, Michael Kelly, Rose Walsh , Ann Smyth, John Lanigan, Lorenzo Mahony, Frank O’Shea, Tommy, Mary & Thomas Drohan, Pauline Hogan.

Intentions for next weekend: James Ryan (Months Mind Sat 6.15), Anna Campion (Sat 7.00), Maureen O’Shea (Sun 9.30), Maura Nolan (Sun 10.00), Michael Drennan (Sun 10.30), Mary Reynolds (Sun 11.00), Beattie O’Connell (Sun 12.00), Oliver Mannion (Sun 12.30).

St. Joseph's Young Priests Society

The monthly meeting of St. Joseph's Young Priests Society will take place in the Parish Centre, immediately after the 10.30am Mass, on Friday, January 13th 2012.  All welcome.

Divine Mercy

An hour of adoration and prayer in honour of Divine Mercy will take place in the Capuchin Friary Church on Sunday 8th January from 3.00pm - 4.00pm.  All are welcome to come along and join in our prayers.

Envelope Collection

The total amount collected for last weekend’s parish envelopes amounted to €3,431.00.  Thank you for your continued support.

First Saturday Devotion

Will take place in St. Fiacre’s Church on Saturday January 7th after 6.15pm Mass.  Prayers and adoration will end at 9pm.  All welcome. 

Eucharistic Ministers

We ask Eucharistic Ministers to continue to be vigilant in their ministry of Holy Communion.  In particular we ask you to keep watch for people taking the Sacred Host back to their seat with them and people presenting pyxs in order to take Holy Communion away with them.  Remember to refer such requests to the priest.  We thank you for your cooperation.

Parish Office Opening Hours

The Parish Office is now open during the following hours:-

Mondays: 9.00am  - 1.00pm, 2.00pm - 4.00pm

Tuesdays: 9.00am - 1.00pm, 2.00pm - 4.00pm

Thursdays: 9.00am - 1.00pm, 2.00pm - 3.30pm

Fridays : 9.00am - 1.00pm, 2.00pm - 4.00pm. 

Baptisms, wedding bookings, certificates, etc. are all arranged during office hours.

Afternoon Bridge

Afternoon Bridge at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on Tuesday afternoons, 3.00pm - 5.00pm.  No partner required.  All are welcome.

KRSP

Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership offers the following: Hydrotherapy sessions (warm water exercises for people with reduced mobility); Reduced Rates Adult Swim Lessons; Morning Meet & Train Group/Strollers Groups (with buggies); Parents and Tots exercise class. All classes in the Watershed and can be booked on 056 772 0870.  We would like to invite you to join us for Operation Transformation Kilkenny in Castlecomer Discovery Park on 14^th January at 11.00am. Contact us for more information.

Type 2 Diabetes Education Programme

X-PERT- free education programme for people with Type 2 Diabetes. This 6 week (2 ½ hr per week) group programme is facilitated by a HSE Dietician to support people with Type 2 Diabetes. It will be held in the HSE headquarters, Dublin Road, Kilkenny, on Friday mornings, from 10am to 12.30pm. It will commence on Friday 17^th February 2012 ending on Friday 23^rd March 2012. Places are limited.  To book a place on this course, please contact:  Frances Leahy , Health Promotion Office, Dean Street, Kilkenny

Telephone: 056 776 1400.

 

What’s The Catch?

 The majority of us are more careful with money now than we ever were.  I’m sure I’m not the only one who sometimes has to check my finances before I accept an invitation to go somewhere.  Over the past few years, many of us have had to think carefully about how we spend our money, maybe even turning down an invitation here or there.  Even those whose jobs previously came with a certain level of perks have found that ‘freebies’ are now far fewer.

Yet today’s First Reading from Isaiah issues a no-strings-attached invitation: ‘Oh, come to the water, all you who are thirsty; through you have no money, come!’ And, even more astonishingly: ‘Buy corn without money, and eat, and, at no cost, wine and milk’.  Not only do we not need money, but good things come for free.  So it is when we answer God’s call.

Today we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus, the moment when God revealed Jesus as his Beloved Son. It marks the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Our readings are rich with water imagery, from the call to the water of our First Reading, to the joyful imagery of the psalm: ‘With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.’  We are called to the water, to that moment when we recognise who Jesus really is – the Beloved Son, God’s favoured one – and what he has to offer.  (Triona Doherty)

Questions People Ask

Q. The gospel Mark will be used on Sundays this year.  What should I look for in Mark?

A. Mark is a great storyteller with the gift of bringing the reader right into the heart of the action.  You will read of Jesus establishing eye contact with people or reaching out to touch people.  This is a great Gospel for the sort of mediation that asks you to put yourself into the scene and became part of the story.  Mark moves the story forward at a great pace and develops a sense of drama.  He presents Jesus as a victim of misunderstanding and rejection.  It seems as if his mission was a failure as Jesus dies with a cry of desolation, ‘My God, why have you forsaken me.’  But just then, dramatic things happen and the Roman centurion declares Jesus to be the Son of God.  There is a powerful message of hope in this portrait of Jesus in solidarity with those who suffer injustice, misunderstanding and rejection.

Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, 1st January 2012

Happy New Year

The priests in the parish and the Parish Pastoral Committee join in wishing all a very happy and peaceful New Year.  We hope the Lord will bless you throughout 2012.

Bank Holiday Arrangements

As Monday is a bank holiday the only public Mass in our parish will be at St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am.  We revert to the usual weekday programme on Tuesday.

Parish Centre Reopens

The St. Patrick’s Parish Centre and the Parish Office will reopen for business at 9.00am on Tuesday, 3rd January.

First Friday Home Visits

The first Friday of January occurs this week.  Fr. Roderick will visit those on his list on Thursday.  Frs. Dan and Liam will visit on Friday.

If you cannot get out to Mass on a weekly basis now is the time to get your name on the priests’ lists.  Likewise if someone known to you is unable to get to church regularly the priests would be happy to make home visits.  Contact the Parish Office (056 776 4400).

Feast of the Epiphany

Next Friday, 6th January, is the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.  It is a holyday of obligation and Masses will be celebrated at the usual weekend times.

The Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the oldest Christian feasts, though, throughout the centuries, it has celebrated a variety of things. Epiphany comes from a Greek verb meaning “to reveal,” and all of the various events celebrated by the Feast of the Epiphany are revelations of Christ to man.

Like many of the most ancient Christian feasts, Epiphany was first celebrated in the East, where it has been held from the beginning almost universally on 6th January. Today, among both Eastern Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, the feast is known as Theophany - the revelation of God to man.

Congress Bell in our Diocese

The Eucharistic Congress Bell began its pilgrimage through the Dioceses of Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day in 2011.  Like St. Patrick’s Bell, the Congress Bell is being rung across the land calling God’s people together, to hear anew the good news that God is present among us and calls us to communion. 

On next Sunday, 8th January at 2.00pm Bishop Freeman will receive the Congress Bell from the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore at Rice Bridge in Waterford.  There will be a short roadside prayer service on the bridge before the bell is brought by boat to Mooncoin Parish.  We encourage as many as possible from our parish to join in this reception service.  During the following week the bell will be brought to various parishes throughout the diocese arriving in Kilkenny City at 11.00am on Friday, 13th January.  The bell will visit various secondary and primary schools, hospitals and convents in the City during the day before arriving at St. Fiacre’s Church for a youth Mass at 7.00pm at which Bishop Freeman will be principal celebrant.

The bell will overnight at St. Fiacre’s Church before transferring to St. Patrick’s Church for 9.30am Mass on Saturday morning.  From there the bell will be brought into the City where it will be rung by the Mayor and members of the Borough Council.

We invite as many as possible to get involved in the Masses and Prayer Services associated with the bell’s visit.  Full details of the bell’s itinerary are available on www.ossory.ie

Eucharistic Congress Volunteers

The organisers are still recruiting volunteers to help next June.  While the Congress will take place from 10th - 17th June volunteers will be needed for a few days on either side of the main event.  Over 700 volunteers have already registered.  Volunteers have an integral role to play and many more volunteers are needed.  To register, please contact www.iec2012.ie/volunteer

Pray for Our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Fr. Martin Cleere PP, Windgap and late of Foulkstown.  Requiem Mass in Windgap at 1.30pm on Sunday followed by interment at St. Kieran’s Cemetery. Bridie Meaney, Clifden. John Walsh, Rioch Court. Micheal Walsh, Sycamore Drive.  Seamus Fahey, Francis Terrace.  Michael Manley, McDonagh Street. Declan Lanigan, Cuffesgrange.

Anniversaries:  Attracta Bradley (Month’s Mind) & John Bradley (Sat 6.15), Denis O’Shea (Sat 7.00),  Mary Costello (Sun 10.00), Thomas Drohan (Sun 10.30), Geraldine Cody (Sun12.00), Eddie Taylor  (Sun 12.30),  Christina & Rose Leahy (Thurs 6.15), Philomena Brennan (Thurs 7.00), Jack, Peg & Breda Molloy (Fri 10.30),  Sean Devane (Fri 11.00), Anna Reynolds, Bill Esmonde, William Kavanagh, Agnes Brannigan, Joseph Ayres, Anastasia Ayres, William Ayres, Mary Burke, Eamonn O’Farrell.

Intentions for next weekend: Billy & Anastasia Hickey Sat 6.15), Teresa Nolan (Sat 7.00), Dick O’Hara (Sun 9.30), Tommy Hickey (Sun 10.00), Michael Kenny & John Condon (Sun 10.30), Sean O’Dwyer (Sun 11.00), Teresa Walsh (Sun 12.00).

Men’s Shed

What is Men’s Shed?  A Men’s Shed is a workshop where skilled and unskilled men meet and share their experiences with each other, swap stories and work together on community/personal/group projects.  All men are welcome from age 18 and above.  Membership is free.  Meetings are every Tuesday from 2.00pm to 4.30pm.  Activities include restoring old furniture, gardening, personal projects, learn new skills and hone old ones plus many more.  Contact Ann 056 772 2566 or email kilkenny@menssheds.ie

Foulkstown School Reunion

The Foulkstown National School Past Pupils’ Reunion will take place on Saturday, 19th May 2012.  There will be a special Mass in Foulkstown Church  at 7.30pm and a dinner dance in Springhill Court Hotel immediately afterwards.  Please tell any friends and relatives who may be home for the holiday season.

Are you Registered in our Parish?

The Parish Team Leader is obliged to keep the parish records as up to date as possible. We need accurate figures for planning and budgeting and we are financially levied by the diocese according to the numbers of registered parishioners. It is to our benefit to record the numbers as accurately as possible.  Please contact Michelle at the Parish Office (056 776 4400) if you feel your family is not registered and we will put matters right for you without delay.  Thanks.

Parish Events during 2011

St. Patrick’s Parish is a busy place.  We believe we are the largest parish in the diocese and currently the only one with three full time priests.  During 2011 we received 127 new members into our Church through the Sacrament of Baptism.  197 people received the Sacrament of Confirmation during the year.  38 happy couples were married in our parish churches during the past 12 months and perhaps as many more of our men folk were married in the brides’ home parish.  Finally, and sadly, we celebrated 47 funerals in our parish churches during the year.

Tridentine Mass

Please note the Latin Mass on Friday, 6th January at St. Patrick’s Church will be celebrated at 6.00pm and not at the usual time.

St. Patrick’s Parish Calendars

We are delighted to offer parish calendars again this year.  Calendars may be picked up at the back of all our parish churches.  Please feel free to take a few and pass them on to friends.

Thanksgiving Dinner Dance

Christmas Thanksgiving Dinner Dance in aid of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will take place in Langton’s Hotel, John Street Kilkenny on Friday, 6th January at 8.00pm.   Sit down dinner, music by 'The Uptown Band' with special guest Don Mescal and the Kilkenny Gospel Choir.  All for only €5.  Tickets and information from Langton’s Hotel, John Street.

Parish Website

Please see our parish website for up to the minute information and local  news. Updated regularly: www.patricksparish.net

 

Questions People Ask

Q.  While I do have devotion to Mary, I hesitate at calling her the Mother of God.  How could any human being be the Mother of God who existed long before her?

A. A little history lesson might help.  Nestorians claimed that Jesus was only human, not divine, when born of Mary and that divine powers were somehow bestowed on him later in life.  The Council of Ephesus, 431, rejected this teaching and declared that Jesus, born of Mary, was not only human but truly divine at all times.  As a consequence, Mary can be called Mother of God, not from all eternity but as his human body was formed in her womb.  It is said that when the people of Ephesus heard the Council’s declaration they danced around chanting ‘Holy Mary, Mother of God’ and this was the beginning of the second half of the Hail Mary.              

Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Mary our Model

The words of today’s First Reading are familiar to us as the blessing often used at the end of Mass: ‘May the Lord bless you and keep you.  May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you.  May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace.’

The image of God ‘uncovering his face’ is often used as a way of describing how God reveals himself to us.  As Archbishop Diarmuid Martin puts it: ‘God uncovers his face in Jesus Christ who becomes God with us and does so in such a remarkable manner, in the humility and obscurity of his birth, far away from all signs and trappings of earthly power and wealth.’

Today, the first day of a new year, we reflect on Mary.  Mary was the first one to whom God ‘uncovered his face’ and revealed the coming of Jesus.  In today’s Gospel we see her continue to accept God’s will and to face the future.

I love the image of Mary ‘treasuring’ and ‘pondering’.  Like any pregnant woman, Mary marvelled at the new life growing inside her, all the while pondering God’s mysterious plan.  And now that her son has arrived, strangers are hurrying to see him and telling her great things about him.

Let’s make a new start.  Let us take time to listen, to treasure and to ponder.  May the Lord bless you and keep you, as you enter a new year.

Christmas Day, 25th December 2011

Happy Christmas

Frs. Dan, Roderick and Liam join in wishing all associated with St. Patrick’s Parish a holy, peaceful and happy Christmas.  May God bless and protect us in this holy season. May all travellers be safe and may patience and Christian love and goodwill mark this holiday time.

We take this opportunity to thank everyone who help out in any way to make this wonderful parish function so well. We won’t name names, because there are so many people who help in prayer, action and support. People help out so quietly and generously that all runs so smoothly. To everyone, we  offer a sincere and heartfelt ‘thank you’.

We also say thanks to all for your generous support this Christmas and indeed throughout the year.  We appreciate your prayers, kind words and material support.  We pray that the New Year will be filled with every grace and blessing for you.

We hope those who join us for Christmas - either as visitors or former parishioners returning for the festivities -  will have a wonderful time among us.

Parish Office

The Parish Office will be closed all next week.  However, if you need to contact one of the  priests or conduct parish business you may call 056 776 4400 and follow the computerised prompts.  If the person you require is not available immediately you may be invited to leave a message.

In urgent cases you can contact the priest on duty by dialling 056 776 4400 and pressing Option 2. 

Christmas Thanks

Sincere thanks to all who are helping to make our Christmas celebrations more meaningful and prayerful. 

We are grateful to all in our choirs, sacristies, those who read the Word of God and distribute the Eucharist, those who collect and who clean; sometimes thankless tasks but we are grateful.  Thanks also to all who help run and maintain our Parish Centre.

Pray for Our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Ted Kelly, Clologue, Ferns.  Reposing at his residence.  Removal from his residence on Monday at 1.30pm to St. Briget's Church Clologue for Funeral Mass at 2.00pm with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.   Rosaleen Crotty, Archers Mount.

Months Mind: James Ryan (Sat 11.00).

Anniversaries: Betty Furniss (Sun 9.30), Mary & Christopher Coogan (Sun 12.00), Jimmy King (Mon 11.00), James Kearney (Wed 11.00), Roseanna Smyth (Thurs 11.00), Ann & John Bissett (Fri 11.00), Ted Kenny, Norah Bartholomew, Kathleen Fahey, Nancy Ronan, Brigid & Michael Kenny, Bridget & Tommy Casey, John Condon, Richard Gaule, Martin Doheny, Brendan Doheny, Mary Doheny, Martin Browne, Peg Browne, Mary O’Dwyer, John & Mary Rhatigan, Angela Davis.

Intentions for next weekend: Attracta Bradley (Month’s Mind) & John Bradley (Sat 6.15), Denis O’Shea (Sat 7.00),  Mary Costello (Sun 10.00), Thomas Drohan (Sun 10.30), Geraldine Cody (Sun 12.00), Eddie Taylor  (Sun 12.30).

May they rest in peace.  Amen.

Men’s Shed

What is Men’s Shed?  A Men’s Shed is a workshop where skilled and unskilled men meet and share their experiences with each other, swap stories and work together on community/personal/group projects.  All men are welcome from age 18 and above.  Membership is free.  Meetings are every Tuesday from 2.00pm to 4.30pm.  Activities include restoring old furniture, gardening, personal projects, learn new skills and hone old ones plus many more.  Contact Ann 056 772 2566 or email kilkenny@menssheds.ie

Foulkstown School Reunion

The Foulkstown National School Past Pupils’ Reunion will take place on Saturday, 19th May 2012.  There will be a special Mass in Foulkstown Church  at 7.30pm and a dinner dance in Springhill Court Hotel immediately afterwards.  Please tell any friends and relatives who may be home for Christmas.

Mass Times This Week

Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am each day during the coming week.  This will be the only public Mass in our parish during the week.

Eucharistic Adoration

There will be no Eucharistic Adoration at St. Fiacre’s Church on Monday 26th December (St. Stephen’s Day).  Eucharistic Adoration will continue at St. Patrick’s Church on Friday, 30th December from 4.00pm - 9.00pm.

Envelope Collection

The total collected in last weekend’s envelopes amounted to €3,725.00.  Thank you for your support in this collection and in all our collections during the year.

DVD of Carol Service

This year’s very successful carol service at St. Joseph’s Church in Foulkstown has been recorded for posterity.  Copies of the DVD will be available for sale at the Parish Shop.  Cost: €15.

Eucharistic Congress Bell 2012

The Eucharistic Congress Bell will travel through the Diocese of Ossory from 8th to 19th January 2012. The purpose of the Bell travelling around the diocese and around the other Irish dioceses is to call people to prayer and bring them to a greater awareness of the forthcoming International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin next June. 

Our diocese will receive the Bell from the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore at Rice Bridge in Waterford on Sunday 8th January and will pass it on to the Diocese of Ferns on New Ross Bridge on Thursday, 19th January. 

The Bell will be in St. Patrick’s Parish on Friday, 13th and Saturday, 14th January.  Among the events in our parish will be a Diocesan Youth Mass celebrated by Bishop Seamus at St. Fiacre’s Church on Friday, 13th January.  Visit http://www.ossory.ie/2011/12/eucharistic-bell-itinerary-for-ossory/ for more information on the bell and it’s itinerary.

Need Someone to Listen?

Christmas can be a lonely and a trying  time for many people.  Some may feel isolated and alone.  There is someone to listen 24 hours of every day.  Call the Samaritans on 056 776 5554 or 056 776 5750 at any time.  The Carlow/Kilkenny Samaritans are based at 2 Abbeybridge, Dean Street, Kilkenny.

Bishop’s Christmas Message

Bishop Seamus Freeman has issued a special Message for Christmas 2011.  Among other things he says: “Christmas calls all of us to deepen our awareness of being Christians. This should mean something special and important to each one of us. As St. Paul reminds us, as Christians we are members of one another.

Many people this Christmas will not be as happy as they would wish to be. This should be a concern for all people of good will. For the past number of years Irish generosity and solidarity has been so generous to help the various victims, in different parts of the world, with extraordinary generosity. This year the greatest need is probably as home, at least for many of our citizens. Let us pray that our generosity can be as effective as is our tradition. People are without their homes, their jobs, and their dignity. Let us all do whatever we can to alleviate the pain of so many of our brothers and sisters.”

The full text of Bishop Seamus’ message is available on www.ossory.ie

Society of St. Vincent De Paul

The members of the St. Patrick’s Parish Conference of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul wish to acknowledge the many donations of money, food, toys and material goods received in recent weeks.  The gifts received are being used to help in our community.

Parish Website

We remind  our visitors - especially our former parishioners - that our parish website (www.patricksparish.net) is updated regularly with news and information about our activities.  We invite you to keep an eye on it.

Questions People Ask

Q.  Do we know for certain that Jesus was born on 25 December?

A.  We have no way of knowing the actual date.  Two reasons are given for the selection of this date.  It took over from the Roman feast of the Unconquered Sun at the winter solstice.  Christians decided to celebrate the birth of Jesus as the light of God who came to conquer the darkness of sin.  The second reason is that it is nine months after the feast of the Annunciation and the conception of Jesus.  The Annunciation was an older feast than Christmas.  It was celebrated on 25 March to connect with the Jewish tradition that this was the first day of creation and the day when Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac.  Thus the conception of Jesus was linked with creation and sacrificial death.

The X Factor

Some people may not acknowledge today as Christ’s Day, that He is the X-Factor of the X-Mass scene.  This world is crying out for Light, for Hope, for Joy, for Love and today we celebrate that God is present with us in this world: EMMANUEL.  We must allow that Love to penetrate our hearts and celebrate with our family and friends the Joy that lives amongst us.  And when we have finished celebrating the X Factor of Christmas, remember that then the real work of Christmas begins:  When the song of the angels is stilled.  When the star in the sky is gone.  When the kings and princes are home. When the shepherds are back with their flocks.  The work of Christmas begins to find the lost; To heal the broken; To feed the hungry; To release the prisoner; To rebuild the nations; To bring peace among people; To make music in the heart.

Howard Thurman