Season of Advent offers hope despite pandemic

The Season of Advent has just begun for the Christian Community, and in the parish of Killucan, Camilla Bray, with her ‘bubble’ of grandchildren Orla, Katie and Oran, joined me (Fr Mark English) to bless and light the first candle on the Advent Wreath in St Brigid’s Church, Raharney.

Many children will have Advent Calendars to count down the days to Christmas or will make their own Advent Wreaths to light up the way for their families as we look forward to Christmas 2020.

The Late Late Toy Show, the putting up of decorations in our homes and the switching on of the town Christmas lights are getting us in the Christmas spirit!

The Coronavirus pandemic has cast a dark shadow over our lives and the entire world these last nine months. Everyone and every family has coped the best they could in the lockdowns and in the period of lesser restrictions during the summer. Now once more we emerge from Level 5, hoping our society can manage to keep the spread of Covid-19 at bay, especially as we prepare for Christmas.

For Christians, the symbolism of Advent and the candles becomes more evident as we prepare to celebrate the birthday of our Saviour Jesus Christ. He is the Light of the World.

He was born at the darkest time of the year to reveal the Light of Heaven in this earthly world. With each passing week, the light around the Advent Wreath increases, culminating with the white candle, the birthday candle, you could say, for Jesus, being lit on Christmas Day.

God illuminates our fragile world and the darkness which can prevail, such as with war, injustice, repression, poverty, tragedy, famine, natural disasters and diseases, like the pandemic we are experiencing. More often than not such events are far away on the news. Now we have all been thrown into the worldwide struggle against Covid-19.

This season of Advent let us count our blessings and appreciate the precious gift of family and the love which sustains us, this is a glimpse of the Light of God which brightens the darkness around us. Neighbourliness and charity also shine light into the darkness. Doctors, nurses, medical teams and carers have been lights in the dark suffering felt by so many in hospital and residential care homes. State support has tried to give light when the darkness of lost employment and work loomed heaviest.

For those of us who profess belief in the Risen Lord, who came into this world to express God the Father’s unconditional love and compassion through His life, death and resurrection, we find sure hope to endure all things, even the Calvary moments which can cast long shadows over us.

2020 has been a trying and testing year. Yet now as we anticipate Christmas, may everyone, believers and non, reflect upon what is Christmas about; Jesus the child of the Bethlehem stable!

Mary and Joseph, as parents, experienced great anxiety on their imposed census journey to Bethlehem and then the distraught panic of finding a place to give birth. Our struggles may not compare to theirs but in their story, the Jesus story, we find hope and consultation that God’s Light shines no matter what darkness prevails.

So as we make our 2020 journey to Bethlehem, to Christmas, let us keep life in focus and what means the most to us, children, parents, grandparents, family and community. As you look forward to Christmas, look at the example of Jesus and make room for Him in your world, make the crib the centre of your Christmas preparations and celebration.

All parishes and parishioners are so relieved and delighted to be able to attend public worship again. Check out the parish schedule where you live. For us in Killucan the Mass schedule at weekends is Saturdays at 6pm in Raharney and 7.30pm in Rathwire; Sundays at 10am in Raharney and 11.30am in Rathwire. During the week at 9am on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Raharney and in Rathwire on Wednesdays at 7pm and on Fridays at 9am. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every week in Rathwire on Tuesday afternoon/evening and in Raharney on Wednesday evening.

We are so grateful for the generous support shown by so many parishioners and also for the volunteers who help out with ensuring our churches are compliant with the Covid-19 guidelines creating a safe sacred place for worship, private prayer and devotion.

Come let us prepare a way for the Lord into our lives and our community this Christmas 2020, when more than ever before in living memory we need the Light of God with us.

Pope Francis concluded his First Sunday of Advent Mass homily with these words, “Come, Lord Jesus, we need you! Draw close to us. You are the light. Rouse us from the slumber of mediocrity; awaken us from the darkness of indifference. Come, Lord Jesus, take our distracted hearts and make them watchful.”

By Fr Mark English