Holy  Family  B.

The arrival of a new baby is still a wonder of the world. Mothers say to me ‘I didn’t know what to do, my body took over, and knew what to do’. It seems that God, Angels, Spirit or whatever Power, took over. Christmas is child time in many ways. In fairness, shopping is mostly done for others. It is natural to celebrate then, a new arrival, which is a much greater wonder than winning the Lotto. In today s story we see Simeon and Anna rallying around in the Temple, to celebrate Mary and Joseph with the Baby.

I have always loved celebrating the new child at Baptism. I know, sometimes, behaviour in church may seem distracted, but the celebration idea is sound. We may forget the singer, but the song goes on. One song I found that we all responded to ...the good, the not so good, and the ugly was ‘For they are jolly goof fellas..They are jolly good fellas....and so say all of us.’ Joy and cheer is a basic ingredient in the Christ Way.

I like to tell that every baby has come a long way..Fashioned in the heart and mind of God, sent through the parents, with a special guardian angel, for all of life. Every baby born is human, and blessed. To follow Christ, is to become more human. A way that we become more human is by getting affection, and giving affection. We could call Christmas ,celebrating the human affection of God. Notice how Jesus touches people graciously, indeed all kinds, and all sorts of people, and He took the children in His arms and hugged them. Genuine affection, will never hurt or spoil, but rather enlarge the heart and spirit within us. We have Mary Our Mother, Jesus  and Joseph to pray for us when we call.

Liam Hickey St. Ciarans Hartstown Dublin 15.

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