JIM DEEDS

WITH EYES WIDE OPEN

JIM DEEDS

New life will always win out

THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS IS WE ARE NEVER ALONE, GOD IS WITH US. IT IS A MESSAGE OF HOPE AND NEW LIFE, MADE INCARNATE IN A NEW-BORN BABY

Some years ago, at the start of summer, I walked out into our back garden and looked upwards towards the mountains that overlook us here in West Belfast. Spring had done its work and the summer heat was bringing that work forward in the creation of deep greens and golden yellows all over the mountain. Such vibrant colours and such sights are good for the eyes.

I had promised myself that I would take a walk through the fields on the mountain that afternoon. I looked up to survey the beauty I would soon be in amongst. However, the sight that greeted me that day was very different from the one I had expected. Someone or some people had started a fire on the mountain and it was raging right across the fields and hedgerows and bushes. Thick, black smoke oozed upward, emanating from bright red and orange flames. That I could see the flames so clearly at distance told me that this was a huge fire. I looked on; helpless, worried and sad. I had spent many hours walking through the area that was now burning. I knew the amount of wildlife that dwelt up there. I also knew how devastated the land would be. Birds, rabbits, hares and other creatures would lose their young as they had built their nests right where the flames and smoke were wreaking havoc. That it was a fire that had been set on purpose made the devastation all the worse to look upon.

In the course of the next four days emergency services battled the fire in places, although some of the area is unreachable by fire appliances and

the fire had to be allowed to burn itself out. Once it had, the majority of the side of the mountain where I usually walked sat burnt brown and black. Long gone were the verdant greens and golden yellows. It was a sorry sight indeed. 2020 comes to an end soon. In many ways, the year 2020 has been like the fire that ravaged my beloved mountain. It has brought devastation to many – through illness and disconnection, through the virus and the ensuing restrictions that have been so difficult for us all. What once would have been the ‘green’ moments in life were burnt out and blackened. We think about birthdays not celebrated, sacraments experienced outside of our normal community experience, churches closed, and families even left to grieve separately from each other. We have lived through a year that will be forever written of, studied and learned from.

Yes, 2020 will come to an end – but not before Christmas happens. I was bemused when, in late autumn, I began to hear people talking of their worry that ‘Christmas might be cancelled’. How, I wondered, could Christmas be cancelled? I understand that many of the celebrations associated with Christmas will, indeed, be curtailed or even cancelled. But Christmas itself? Cancelled? To think this is perhaps to miss the genius point of Christmas itself. Now, I am not going to dismiss or nullify the importance of the celebrations and gatherings people have over Christmas. I love them myself; red wine and mince pies and all!

However, these things, important and enjoyable as they are in and of themselves, are not what makes Christmas. It is, of course, a moment for the world to consider a wonderful notion – that God became incarnate, became one of us, visited us here on earth, in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, born into a world of poverty, political upheaval and religious fervour. Christmas, in the retelling of the story of the Nativity, tells us the story of all things. It tells us that God is with us yet, for even though we celebrate Christmas on December 25, the incarnation of God is not limited to one day, once per year. It is true for all time. That, my friends, cannot be cancelled.

And no matter how devastating the year 2020 has been or how uncertain the year 2021 may seem to us, the central message of Christmas is one that brings solace – we are never alone, God is with us. It is a message of hope and new life, made incarnate in a new-born baby.

I walked through the fields on the mountain a week or so after the fire. They still smelled of smoke and destruction. It was a dull and lifeless place. I found myself despairing. “Things will never be good here 19 again” was a thought that echoed inside me.

How wrong I was! Over the course of the next months, as summer gave way to autumn and autumn to winter, the most marvellous thing happened. The charred black fields began to change colour. They lightened up into a dark brown and then a light brown and, even as winter descended, shoots of light green and yellow could be seen. By spring of the next year, it was as if the fire had not happened. New life always wins out.

May this Christmas and New Year be a blessed time for you all where you find connections to others in the most meaningful way possible. And may the message of the Christchild ring out for all to hear – God is with us and new life will always win out.

Belfast man Jim Deeds is a poet, author, pastoral worker and retreat-giver working across Ireland.

Evangelisation At Christmas

Evangelisation is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity; she exists in order to evangelise.

Pope Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, 14.

COVID-19 WILL PROBABLY MAKE THIS CHRISTMAS A VERY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE! THE ENTIRE YEAR HAS, OF COURSE, BEEN CHALLENGING AND FOR SOME, DEVASTATING. ALTHOUGH THE MEDIA MAY SCARE US WITH THE THOUGHT THAT CHRISTMAS MIGHT NOT EVEN HAPPEN THIS YEAR, IT IS ALSO A TIME TO OFFER THE GOSPEL’S GOOD NEWS IN DARK DAYS.

BY MARIA HALL

20

Even if large gatherings and parties won’t take place, the Church to his calling, and though our Baptism, that means us! Mother Teresa often said that we cannot cease to celebrate the Incarnation, should do little things with great love, and regardless of what the press say. We aren’t a in carrying out these little things, we may be closed shop, a private club, and our primary sowing seeds of greatness! focus should be sharing God’s message with others. And so this year more than any, we should focus on reminding those around us of the true joy that is Christmas.

OUR INSPIRATION: THE SHEPHERDS!

The shepherds were the first to hear about the birth of Jesus and they rejoiced freely, telling everyone what they had seen. Here is our inspiration and our mandate! God chose to tell these humble, poor, uneducated men, not the synagogue leaders or rich, influential people. This act mirrors the words of the Magnificat; "He has lifted up the lowly" (Lk 1:52). And so we should never think that being a messenger of God’s Word is something for people more qualified or more holy than us.

God’s message is for everyone everywhere, regardless of their wealth or intellect. He speaks through all whose hearts are open

ADVENT CALENDAR

Back in September, I watched a TV programme which was reviewing Advent calendars full of beauty products, most of which cost over €100. Astonishing

and ridiculous! Even the more affordable calendars have nothing to do with the birth of Christ. So, let’s resolve to have a religious one at home or at work, reminding those around us what it’s all about!

A great idea is the Reverse Advent Calendar. It encourages us to think of those in need and to give. Each day, add an item of food or clothing and at the end, donate to a food bank or other similar cause.

SOCIAL MEDIA

I recently shared the Redemptorist ‘Good night’ post on Facebook (“God is already working on your stresses; Tomorrow is a new day; He will bless you”) and unexpectedly received a comment from a friend the following day; “Oh my goodness, I so needed that!”

So Facebook can be a cause for good! Rather than just scrolling past good things, let’s share them or even create them. A passage of scripture, a religious image, a quote from Pope Francis or a saint, photos of the Church in action; all these things will let people know this is Christ’s season.

CRIB

In 2019, Pope Francis wrote a beautiful letter, Admirabile Signum, on the meaning and relevance of the crib. In creating the idea, he said that St Francis carried out a great act of evangelisation:

The Nativity scene is like a living Gospel rising up from the pages of sacred Scripture. It offers a simple yet authentic means of portraying the beauty of our faith.

The pope encourages us all to keep this tradition alive, sharing it as a family tradition and as a sign of faith in public places. He even suggests adding other figures (great fun for children) saying, “Fanciful additions show that in the new world inaugurated by Jesus there is room for whatever is truly human and for all God’s creatures.”

CARDS

Sending messages might be more important this year than ever before, so let’s make sure we send a Christmas message! Penguins, reindeers and Santa Claus are very cute, but we are missing a golden opportunity to bring a religious image and message into the houses of those we know. It might be their only reminder of the true meaning of the 21 season. It’s also a great opportunity to share beautiful artwork. Enjoy finding cards that are of artistic interest to you; reproductions of classical masterpieces or new, modern interpretations.

CHILDREN

Of course we want to make Christmas a special time for children. Having an Advent calendar and a crib are great ways of involving them in the story. But there are other stories too! St Nicholas and St Lucy would be great to share. There are wonderful children’s religious storybooks and Bibles for all ages which would enrich their (and their parents') Christmas!

WELCOME TO THE WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY

During the pandemic, I’ve been a volunteer steward at my church, and I’ve seen firsthand the value of welcoming worshippers and visitors. It’s a ministry that dates back to the Old Testament; in the Second Book of Kings, there were ‘keepers of the threshold’ who collected offerings from the people. In the fourth century Apostolic Constitutions there is reference to the role of ‘doorkeeper.’

So, this isn’t a new concept but sometimes

Because we welcome many visitors at Christmas, it’s important to have music that is inclusive; carols that everyone can join in with, and congregation-friendly psalm response and Mass settings

it isn’t taken seriously. It’s not about sharing a good chat and bypassing visitors! It’s about caring for others. How 'welcomers' behave can make or break whether someone choses to return. This is especially true at Christmas. We should make a special effort to make everyone, especially new or unfamiliar faces, part of the worshipping community. A smile and a warm welcome could have a profound effect on those being greeted. It might be as simple as saying hello, making sure they have a missalette order of service or know where to sit. It might be paying attention to those with particular needs, for example those with mobility issues or with young children.

We must show that we are an open, welcoming church, reflecting the love of Christ in our words and actions and seeing Christ in those we meet.

ENVIRONMENT

Human minds and hearts are stimulated by the sounds, sights, and fragrances of liturgical seasons, which combine to create powerful, lasting impressions of the rich and abundant graces unique to each of the seasons.

This is taken from a really useful document called Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture, and Worship. In liturgy, appearance is everything! We perceive the liturgy through our senses. And so, at Christmas what people see and smell can have a transforming effect.

First, have a tidy church! Make sure the narthex and notice boards are tidy and full of up-to-date information. Remove clutter from the sanctuary and make sure the altar, ambo and presider's chair are prominent. The crib should be accessible (not on the sanctuary).

The church should be adorned with real floral displays, fragrant greenery, the Advent wreath, Christmas trees and banners. This might be an opportunity to explore the lighting system in church or to use spotlights. Our environment should help us to be filled with wonder and awe, even before the liturgy begins!

MUSIC

Music should assist the assembled believers to express and share the gift of faith that is within them and to nourish and strengthen their interior commitment of faith. (Music in Catholic Worship)

Because we welcome many visitors at Christmas, it’s important to have music that is inclusive; carols that everyone can join in with, and congregation-friendly psalm response and Mass settings. Everyone should have an order of service with all the words. The choir will lead the way, but not perform a show! Choral pieces may be appropriate at the Preparation of the Gifts and Communion. This is also a great opportunity to sing the acclamations and dialogues in the Mass. Needless to say, everything must be practised and prepared!

A powerful focus for the Christmas Mass is the phrase in the Creed: “by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man”. At my church we sing Credo III and, in the middle, the lights are dimmed and all kneel as the choir sings ‘et in carnatus est...’ After a slight pause, the lights come back on and we all stand and resume singing to the end. It’s immensely effective! It’s something we do every year, so people have become familiar with the music and what to do. There is also an explanation (and translation) in the order of service. Don’t be afraid of including some Latin at Christmas!

HOMILY

I once heard a Christmas sermon that began, “There are two types of people here; those who come regularly and those who don’t.” Oh dear! I imagine many people didn’t hear the rest!

Christmas congregations are unique in their mix of ages and faith experience and being inclusive is a challenge but also a unique opportunity to reach out to those for whom Christmas is only a yearly tradition. They need to hear of God’s love for them and feel that prayer can be relevant to their lives. Pope Francis has spoken on the importance of the homily; whoever gives the homily must be conscious that they are not doing their own thing, they are preaching, giving voice to 23 Jesus, preaching the Word of Jesus. Because of this, homilies should be well prepared, and they must be brief (ten minutes maximum!)

AT THE END

After an uplifting and inspiring Christmas liturgy, we can reach out to people as they leave. The message is, ‘please join us again soon!’ It might be a simple card with a Christmas message and contact details of parish groups, Mass times, RCIA and some online resources.

This must be done person to person; leaving sheets on a table at the back isn’t going to evangelise anyone!

Things will be different this year and we have had to time to take stock of what’s important in life. Let’s make sure that we share the most important message of all.

Maria Hall is music director at St Wilfrid's Church, Preston, England. A qualified teacher, she has a Master’s from the Liturgy Centre, Maynooth and is a consultant on matters liturgical for schools and parishes. www.mariahall.org

A CELTIC CHRISTMAS

MANY OF THE OBSERVANCES WE TAKE SO MUCH FOR GRANTED AT CHRISTMAS TIME HAVE THEIR ORIGINS DEEP IN THE HUMAN STORY. THAT IS ESPECIALLY TRUE OF WHAT OUR CELTIC ANCESTORS HAVE LEFT US.

BY JOHN SCALLY

The early Celts did not celebrate Christmas because they did not know about it. In the darkest days of winter, however, the Celts felt the need to party and bring joy to the Celtic world.

The winter solstice is, with the summer solstice, the oldest seasonal festival known to humanity. The Celts did not take the return of the sun for granted, especially as they were much more at the mercy of severe winter weather than we are today. For farming folk, whose survival depended mostly on crops, the return of the sun was literally a matter of life or death.

MIDWINTER AT NEWGRANGE Newgrange (Brú na Bóinne) is a mighty Neolithic passage tomb and temple structure in the valley of the Boyne River. Its age is estimated at 5,200 years give or take, which makes Newgrange older than the Pyramids of Gizeh and Stonehenge. Newgrange is aligned towards the sunrise of the winter solstice. When the sun reaches a certain angle, the light shines through a special window

along a passage and at the end of the passage falls onto a big stone, which bears the carving of a three-fold spiral. The event lasts approximately 15 minutes, during which the light is wandering across the floor of the passage and the stone at its end. This has been interpreted as the insertion of a ray of light by the Sun God into the womb of Mother Earth, to bring about the creation of new life in spring.

On the morning of the winter solstice the Celts woke early, long before the first faint vestiges of light illuminated the specklings of frost on the hard ground. Sometimes as they pulled back the curtains, they were compelled to watch the world take shape despite their haste. The faint horizontal threads of clouds grew a fiercer red against the still grey sky, the streaks intensifying to scarlet and to orange and to gold, until the whole sky was a breathtaking symphony of colour. The stars were like holes in the celestial carpet which allowed the eternal light to shine through.

A hoar frost lay on the fields and the hedgerows were hung with the lace trimmings of what seemed to be a thousand spiders’ webs. In the distance, cattle were huddling under creeping hedges, staring vacantly up at the emerging slate-grey sky with their stoic eyes, as they contemplated their own dinner. The trees seemed to be standing and shivering together, hugging bare limbs and grumbling about the cold. On this day, more than any other, they marvelled at the hand of the gods in the countryside.

What were the celebrations of the winter solstice in pre-Christian times have today metamorphised into Christmas. There was no need for a giant leap to facilitate this takeover. In the Christian myth or story of faith, Jesus Christ is ‘the Light of the World’ and it is no accident that today we celebrate the birth of Jesus at the time of the winter solstice. Initially, the birth of Christ was probably celebrated in spring but later moved close to the winter solstice, partly because the early Celtic church was unable to stop the winter solstice celebrations. Christianity wanted to superimpose its own faith message onto the celebration. There also seemed to be a natural synergy and symbolism with fitting the birth of the light into the days of greatest darkness.

EVERGREEN

In the Celtic tradition, homes were decorated with evergreen branches. The green served as a reminder of the promise that nature will be green again in springtime and life will return to farms. In the Irish tradition, a house decorated with greeneries is expected to offer a place of rest to nature spirits fleeing from cold and darkness. Another seasonal prop to reinforce the theme of light breaking through the darkness is the generous use of candles.

Christians continue in the Irish tradition of monastic hospitality where the marginalised were welcomed. Hospitality was often very much in the tradition of the story of the widow's mite. Although they had very little to offer, they gave generously, sharing the view of St Francis of Assisi: it is in giving that we receive.

The tradition of the ‘Ireland of the Welcomes’ can be traced back to pre-Christian times. Under the Brehon laws, to refuse hospitality

was not simply impolite, it was considered an offence. The arrival of Christianity gave a new impetus to this tradition. In the Judgement Gospel (Matthew 25) hospitality is seen as an integral part of the Christian life: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me”. Hospitality was actually institutionalised in the Irish monasteries with each having its own Teach Aíochta (House of Hospitality). The monks supplied food, drink and overnight accommodation to all passersby without seeking any financial donation.

St Brendan was one person particularly associated with hospitality. Brendan believed that, “God loves a true faith, a pure heart; a simple life with a religious spirit; and open-handedness inspired by charity”.

In the Celtic tradition, the guest was always Christ and hospitality was offered to the Christ in the other. One story which illustrates this is told about St Crónán. He had an unexpected visit from a neighbouring abbot and a big number of his monks. While they were eating at table, a young novice caused a bit of a stir by saying aloud, “It seems there will be no vespers said here this evening.” After a short, awkward silence St Crónán responded, “Brother, in the guest is received Christ. Therefore, at the coming of Christ we ought to feast and rejoice. But if you had not said that the angels of God themselves would have prayed on our behalf here this night.”

THE GOD WHO DANCES

St Brigid's monastery in Kildare was known as the City of the Poor, on foot of its reputation for hospitality, compassion and generosity. These were genuinely of beer. According to the

St Brigid was able to see Christ in other people. A famous

to the earth. The light of the knowledge of God had grown feeble, and as sin increased, charity grew cold. Angels no longer appeared to men, no prophet raised his voice; it seemed as though, overcome by the great hardness and obstinacy of men, they had ceased to intervene in human affairs. Then it was that the Son of God said: ‘’Here am I’’.’ Christmas is a time for what T.S. Eliot calls “moments in and out of time”. Patrick Kavanagh describes the inclusive communities. Brigid is the no room, Christ is present". This Monaghan of his childhood: “And perfect example of Irish hospitality: understanding is based on the fact the frost of Bethlehem made it she could (by a miracle) milk her that especially at Christmas, with twinkle.” The Jesus of history is born cows three times in one day to those for whom there is no one to in a stable so it is appropriate that for provide a meal for visitors. Brigid share their rooms is Jesus. The sad Kavanagh, “Christ comes in a January celebrated the God who dances. reality is that life is difficult for many flower”. She was no killjoy, going so far as people. The message of Christmas For the Celts, this was a time of to describe heaven as a great lake is that Christ is made flesh not in threshold, an in-between place; conventional belief at the For the Celts this was a time of threshold, time, St Brigid had no interest in material things because her focus was an in-between place; it is an invitation to enter, to start again, to reflect on which solely on God. way to go

frost on Christmas morning in the story told about her illustrates this. the unreal beauty of the Christmas it is an invitation to enter, to start Once Brigid had embarked on a long card, but in the mess that is our again, to reflect on which way journey and she stopped to rest by world. For those of us who claim to to go. Christmas is a threshold the wayside. A wealthy woman be Christian, Christ is made flesh in to merrymaking but also to an heard that she was in the locality our neighbours. awareness that life is a continuous and brought her a beautiful basket Our understanding of Christmas cycle of birth and death to rebirth, of apples. As soon as the apples today continues to draw heavily on for the Celts understood that we are appeared, a group of people came the Celtic battle between darkness all part of a web of life. by and begged for food. Immediately and light. The First Sermon for Advent Brigid gave them the apples. Her of St Bernard of Clairvaux captures benefactor was aghast and barked this insight incisively: disdainfully, “I brought those apples Truly the day was already for you, not for them.” Quick as a far spent and the evening flash Brigid replied, “What's mine is theirs.” drawing near; the sun of justice was already beginning John Scally teaches theology at Trinity College, Dublin. He has a special interest in the areas of

Thomas Merton spoke of how to set, and its rays now gave ethics and history. His new book is Inspiration "with those for whom there is diminished light and warmth for all Seasons: Celtic Wisdom for Today

HANDEL, DUBLIN 26

FOR MANY PEOPLE, THE HIGHLIGHT OF CHRISTMAS IS A CONCERT WITH ALL, OR AT LEAST SOME, OF THE UNFORGETTABLE MUSIC OF HANDEL’S MESSIAH. SOCIAL DISTANCING MIGHT PUT A LIVE VERSION BEYOND OUR REACH THIS YEAR BUT WE CAN STILL LISTEN TO THE RECORDINGS.

BY PAUL KENNY

ANDTHE MESSIAH 27

While we usually hear performances of Handel’s great oratorio Messiah during Advent and Christmas, Handel in fact intended it to be performed at Easter. It was first presented to the world on the Tuesday of Holy Week, April 13, 1742, in Mr Neal’s New Musick Hall in Fishamble Street, Dublin’s newest concert venue, which had opened in October 1741, just a few weeks before Handel arrived in the city on November 18. It is easy to see why the work is most usually performed at this time of year, as only the last three items in Part One depart from the Advent/Christmas material pointing ahead to the life of the adult Christ in his ministry and care for the flock as the Good Shepherd.

THREE-PART STORY

Messiah is divided into three parts, or Acts, as they are called in the score. Part One deals with the great themes of the Old Testament prophecies which we hear each year during the Advent season, the prophecies of the coming of the long-awaited Messiah: Every valley shall be exalted and every hill made low, the crooked straight and the rough places plain. Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, God with us; The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light … For unto us a Child is born… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

After the instrumental Pastoral Symphony or Pifa, we are brought directly into the narration of the Nativity: There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over the flock by night. And lo! the Angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the Angel said unto them: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will toward men.

Following the soprano aria Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion, the story takes a giant leap forward in Christ’s life, speaking of the hope for what his appearing will bring: Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd… Come unto him all ye that labour, that are heavy laden and he will give you rest.

Part Two deals with the Passion of Christ and overall it is more contemplative in character, though there are some aggressive outbursts from the chorus. The opening chorus no longer shows the Messiah as a shepherd but rather as a Sacrificial Lamb: Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.

Handel directs the focus to our redemption won by Christ's taking upon himself the sin of the world. This is followed by the celebrated alto aria, He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, which focuses on Christ's suffering: He gave his back to the smiters, and his cheeks to them that plucked off the hair, he hid not his face from shame and spitting.

We are told that at the first performance in Dublin, a Dr Delany, a friend of Dean Swift, was so transported by Mrs Cibber’s singing of “He was despised”, that rising from his seat, he exclaimed: “Woman, for this thy sins be forgiven thee” – an involuntary compliment to her artistry, though an unfortunate reference to her private life!

The chorus also reminded us that Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows! … and with his stripes we are healed, …All they that see him laugh him to scorn… He trusted in God that he would deliver him, let him deliver him, if he delight in him.

This last chorus is like an aggressive crowd standing around the cross, mocking Jesus. One conductor told his choir to sing it “as if they were Nazarene Teddyboys!”

GENTLE CONTEMPLATION

The tenor soloist now brings us back to the intimate contemplation of Christ's suffering in a series of four short texts depicting the suffering and the Resurrection of the Christ, though there is no direct mention of the death of the Lord: Thy rebuke hath broken his heart, he is full of heaviness. He looked for some to have pity on him, but there was no man, neither found he any to comfort him. Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto his sorrow. He was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgression of thy people was he stricken. But thou didst not leave his soul in Hell, nor didst thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.

From this point on we focus on the activity of the Church following the Ascension of Christ. We hear of the missionary outreach of the Gospel to the nations through the preaching of the disciples: The Lord gave the word: Great was the company of the preachers … How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tiding of good things. Their sound is gone out into all lands and their words unto the ends of the earth.

But it’s not always received, and so the bass sings: Why do the nations so furiously rage together … the kings of the earth rise up and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and his Anointed?

And the chorus reply: Let us break their bonds

asunder; and cast away their yokes from us.

Part Two concludes with the glorious Hallelujah Chorus at Christ’s victory over sin and death: Hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth … and he shall reign forever and ever: King of kings and Lord of lords, Hallelujah.

It is said that Handel, having finished this chorus, was discovered by his servant sitting at his desk staring into space and whispering to himself: “I did think I did see all Heaven before me and the Great God Himself.”

THE REDEEMER

After the blazing glory of the Hallelujah Chorus, Part Three is a celebration of Christ’s work as Redeemer. The soprano sings the beloved aria: I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth;

yet in my flesh shall I see God. For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep.

The chorus, in hushed tones, reminds us that Since by man came death, by man came also the Resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Death has been destroyed and the promise of eternal life is offered to all as the bass declares: The trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

This message is reinforced by the following three short interconnected pieces. The alto sings: Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory! She is then joined by the tenor in a duet: O Death, where is thy sting, O grave where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the Law.

And the chorus concludes this section with the words: But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The work culminates in the Adoration of the Lamb by the hosts of Heaven, as recounted by St John in his vision from the Book of the Apocalypse: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by his blood, to receive power and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour and glory and blessing. Blessing and honour, glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.

You might wonder how Handel could possibly top the Hallelujah Chorus but at the conclusion he sets the single word Amen as a vast fugal chorus, each voice entering and overlapping, intertwining and building to a mighty climax in praise of the Almighty.

The text of Messiah, compiled by Charles Jennens for Handel, presents the eternal truths of our faith, with Handel’s music adding a wealth of spiritual experience to the words with many examples of perfectlyapplied musical illustration, for he was deeply conscious of the spiritual as well as musical value of his masterpiece, and when complimented on presenting “a splendid entertainment” he replied: “I would be sorry if I only entertained them; I wished to make them better.”

Fr Paul Kenny is coordinator of the Larkhill/Whitehall Grouping of parishes of the Dublin Archdiocese. For many years, he compiled the programmed notes for the annual performance of the Messiah by Our Lady’s Choral Society, Dublin.

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FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS

CARMEL WYNNE

Coping with a different Christmas

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT WHAT CHRISTMAS WILL BE LIKE THIS YEAR! WE WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO LAY ASIDE AT LEAST SOME OLD TRADITIONS. WHILE WE REGRET THAT, IT MAY ALSO BE AN UNEXPECTED GIFT AND CHALLENGE.

Are you someone who is pleasantly surprised by how you are coping and how well you are managing the major life changes that were inflicted on you in the ongoing pandemic crisis? How you are coping says a lot about you, your character, beliefs and values.

What could you discover if you decide to stand back and take a good look at how your beliefs and values have changed? Perhaps there has been a radical change in your beliefs about the necessities of life. You could be pleasantly surprised that what looked like a disaster has had some positive outcomes. You may discover that many of the things that you and other family members believed you must have, you discovered you didn’t need.

When dealing with a crisis, many of us find that we are capable of achieving far more than we ever thought or imagined possible. A crisis can force us to dip into our wellsprings of untapped potential, discover inner strengths, resources, talents and coping skills we didn’t know we possessed.

Any person who claims to have no anxiety about being surrounded by the threat of catching a lifechallenging disease is either in denial or is blessed with a deep, deep, faith. There is no doubt that experiencing worry and stress about an uncertain future has an impact on our mental wellbeing.

No one knows the impact social isolation has on the mental health of children. A small number of irresponsible teenagers who were careless about following the

Government guidelines live with a burden of guilt. They worry that they had the virus without showing any symptoms. Some hold themselves responsible for infecting family members who were socially isolating. Younger children, who see mum and dad as ‘older people’, fear that they may catch the virus and die.

There’s an old saying that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Research shows that people have a need for order, predictability and control in their lives. When under threat, people who previously did not experience anxiety become vulnerable to stress. Even though doctors are concerned that the pandemic may trigger a mental health crisis, many of us discovered how strong we are. We have become more resourceful and resilient in the last few months.

Each person has the power to reshape and redefine even the most devastating and dangerous experiences. I saw an amazing example of this on a YouTube video. A father living in a war zone taught his daughter not to be afraid of bombs which were exploding near their home. The picture showed the father holding a happy little girl who laughed with him every time a bomb exploded.

We all live with a sense of danger, surrounded by an unseen threat which makes our world unsafe. It’s healthy to allow ourselves to be aware of the consistent shadow of anxiety that is in us whether we know it or not. It’s really important to take the time to reflect, to become aware if you have irrational fears? How you feel is powerfully influenced by what you think.

Are you aware of the difference between danger and fear? Fear is an emotional response to a perceived danger. The little girl who laughed at the bombs was not afraid because she did not understand that she was in danger. We respond emotionally to what we believe, not to reality. I don’t want to minimise the danger from the virus which is very real. What I want is to invite you to become aware of how much your thinking can minimise or increase your feelings of fear, anxiety or wellbeing.

How we used to live, work and play has disappeared with many of the beliefs we had about what is essential for a normal, happy and fulfilled life. After the basic need for food, clothing and shelter is met, Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs shows people have a need for a safe and predictable environment. Your character, beliefs and 31 values will decide how you enjoy Christmas. Children can learn that there is a difference between what is a need and what is a want. A need is something you have to have to survive. A want is simply the desire for something that you don’t need but would enjoy. For example, you want to have all of your family with you at Christmas dinner. You will be disappointed if it doesn’t happen but you will survive. Food is a need. If you don’t eat, you will die.

Not celebrating Christmas Day the way you always did is both gift and challenge. The gift is the opportunity to make new traditions and memorable happy memories. The challenge is to be creative and make this happen.

Carmel Wynne is a life and work skills coach and lives in Dublin. For more information, visit www.carmelwynne.org

Letter from the Philippines

ONCE YOU GET PAST THE CRASS COMMERCIALISM, THERE ARE SOME DELIGHTFUL TRADITIONS AROUND CHRISTMAS AND ADVENT IN THE PHILIPPINES THAT HAVE A LONG HISTORY BEHIND THEM.

BY COLM MEANEY CSsR

In the Philippines, the Christmas season begins in September! Yes, the first of the so-called '-ber' months (September, October, November, December). From early in that month, the Christmas decorations will be in place in the shops, the assistants will be sporting their Santa hats, carols will be the piped music in the malls, etc. This is money-making pure and simple, with a short interruption for Halloween and All Souls. But once you get past the crass commercialism, there are some delightful traditions in the Philippines surrounding Christmas.

One of the most beautiful traditions is simply called 'exchanging gifts' and even in areas where no English is spoken, this phrase is in use. Of course, gift-giving at Christmas is universal. Exchanging gifts happens in almost every setting or group, not just in the family and neighbours but at school, in the office and among any other group. What I like especially is the fact that what is stressed is: 'it's the thought that counts', because often among poorer people, their budget will be quite constrained. But still, if all they have is a couple of euros, they will buy a gift to give to another. And this, surely, is the central meaning of the

CHRISTMAS IN THE PHILIPPINES

original Christmas– the wondrous exchange when God became one of us: the Divine shared in our humanity, so that we could share in his divinity! And our practice of 'exchanging gifts' is a mirror, however imperfect, of that stupendous truth.

'MASS OF THE ROOSTER'

Apart from the time of Advent preparing us for Christmas, in the Philippines there is a tradition, going back to Spanish times, of a novena of pre-dawn Masses from December 1624, called Misa de Gallo or Aguinaldo Mass. The former phrase means 'The Mass of the Rooster' and is based on the tradition that a rooster crowed on the night of Jesus' birth. It's also connected with the belief that the Mass should be over before cockcrow, so the Misa de Gallo usually starts at 4am, still pitch dark, and ends just as the first streaks of the dawn are showing in the pale sky. (Interestingly the word Aguinaldo means a bonus or gift, so also fits very nicely into the spirit of gift-giving). The Misa de Gallo, whether in the cities or in the country areas, attracts enormous crowds (It's not difficult to rise at such an early hour, considering the balmy, tropical climate). The church will typically be full at 3.30am, so people arriving

after that will bring their own foldup chairs.

After the Misa de Gallo, snacks are on sale in the church grounds. These are typical Filipino delicacies. For a drink you can choose between hot chocolate (cacao is plentiful) or hot ginger juice; the eats are mostly different types of rice-cakes. This is essentially a church initiative, even if the fast-food chains have now adopted it. In the various Redemptorist churches, sales are brisk, and the money collected goes to various charitable causes. Another fundraising endeavour is hymnsinging, either in homes or even factories, etc. If a neighbourhood is being visited, the choir will go from house to house, perform their songs and collect any contribution offered (and they’re always offered). Factories or other places of business will be sent a letter in advance announcing the date/time of the choir's visit, and as well as a donation, food will be offered. Mostly the collected money will be used for a charitable cause.

Another seasonal effort at bringing joy into the lives of the less-fortunate is to place a Christmas tree in the sanctuary of the church, with the branches festooned, not with decorations, but with pieces of paper with the names and addresses of poor families in the parish. Churchgoers are encouraged to take a piece of paper from the tree and to buy some goods for the family: whether food, clothing, toys, etc. When their hamper is ready they are further encouraged to deliver it to the family in question; this is to ensure that they can actually see the conditions in which many of their poorer co-parishioners are actually living; a reality about which many of the more affluent parishioners may

Selling lanterns made by prisoners

be blissfully unaware. Otherwise, our parish staff will do the delivery.

CHRISTMAS LANTERNS

Another way of sharing our bounty with the less fortunate is by buying Christmas lanterns made by prison inmates. As I wrote in my article on prisons, making the lanterns, multicoloured with intricate patterns, demands close attention to detail but is also a calm-inducing, therapeutic activity.

One sure way of involving the men in the mission activities, although that motive is only a minor part of the event, is to organise a procession. I composed processions called 'The Way of the Crib' (or 'Birth') for

Advent, and 'The Way of the Light' for Eastertide. The menfolk will be encouraged, cajoled or blackmailed to attend by the women in their lives, mother, wife or girlfriend – and woe is he who does not respond to such feminine inducements! Something is carried shoulder-high along the pathways: if it’s Lent, then a cross is carried; if it’s Advent, then it’s a crib. The latter is patterned on the Lenten Way of the Cross.

This one celebrates the events surrounding the Lord’s birth, and so a large crib is carried shoulder-high. We pause at various stations and listen to a reading commemorating this wonderful time: the Annunciation, Mary’s response, her visit to Elizabeth, etc. The only troubling reading is Herod’s murderous plan, then we’re back with the birth, the angels, the shepherds, etc. It’s a procession of joy. After winding along the village paths in the cool of the evening, with Christmas lights blinking on the 'stretcher' carrying the crib and people carrying candles and singing 'Silent Night' and 'O Holy Night'and other seasonal Filipino songs, we finally arrive at the chapel, and enjoy bowls of sweet rice cooked in cauldrons.

FOR CHILDREN

I especially like to see children at such events, because it's sure to sow a seed that will bloom in the future into a cherished memory. Yes, Virginia, there really is, if not a Santa Claus, then definitely the 33 magic of childhood, when life is full of innocence and play and wonder. And for children walking in 'The Way of the Crib', with their parents and friends, holding their candle, looking with eyes full of wonder at the crib held aloft on the men's shoulders, with blinking Christmas lights draped over the figurines in the crib – all this is like an acorn of happiness and contentment which will grow into an oak of gentle, serene memories, to soothe them when life has lost that lovely childhood aura of endless excitement, adventure and ever-new delights, and instead treads the weary path of responsibility, duty and disappointment.

A native of Limerick city where he went to school in St Clement’s College, Fr Colm Meaney CSsR first went to the Philippines as a student and has spent most of his priestly life there.

Under the Mocroscope

SOME CHRISTMAS READING

The story of how a young Jesuit scholastic made some of the finest photographs of the Titanic, but was rescued by an act of religious obedience imposed by his religious superior from meeting the fate in which most of the other passengers on the ill-fated liner perished, is well-known. Having lain virtually forgotten for more than half a century after his death, a new assortment of Fr Francis Browne’s photographs now appears almost every year and the stock shows little signs of drying up. This year the subject is County Wicklow. Many walkers have followed Ireland’s most popular walking trail, the Wicklow Way. Beginning just south of Dublin, it ranges as far as County Carlow and includes some of the most spectacular views in Ireland. Many of Fr Browne’s photos of the county have been matched by a selection of contemporary images by Paula T Nolan, a gifted photographer of this generation. Robert O’Byrne’s introduction and running commentary along with Ms Nolan’s notes on her version of the pictures are added bonuses which would make an ideal gift for anyone familiar with the Wicklow Way. After more than 120 years, Clonard Men’s Confraternity comes to an end this November. Once one of the world’s largest men’s sodalities, it has become a shadow of its former self. It leaves behind, however, a fruitful stock of memories, that began in 'the wee tin chapel' which was replaced by the magnificent Church of the Most Holy Redeemer. The confraternity did not have an easy start in life. It was opened for worship the same year as the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant was signed to fight any attempt to impose Home Rule on the nine counties of Ulster. Within a few years, Belfast Catholics struggled for survival against a campaign of murder and intimidation known as the 'Belfast Pogroms'. Yet survive they did, but then faced into the Second World War. This account of the confraternity and its men pays tribute to the men’s loyalty and the inventiveness of both members and directors. Poverty was a permanent presence in working-class Belfast, and the credit union, and its predecessor, the Confraternity Banks, was one way of responding to it. Miraculously, the confraternity managed to survive 'the Troubles' even if for a period of time it was not possible to have the traditional weekly meetings, and they were replaced by Mass on Sunday afternoons. This is a book of memories – memories of past directors like Fr Hugh McLoughlin, and of great confraternity events such as processions on the Falls Road to St Mary’s Church. For many, it will also be

Wandering Wicklow with Fr Brown

Edited by Robert O’Byrne

Messenger Publications, Dublin. 2011 Hardback 120pp €19.95 (£18.) ISBN 7817881226

We Stand for God:

The Story of Clonard Men’s Confraternity 1897-2020 Clonard Monastery, Belfast Available from Clonard Monastery reception or may be ordered from reds@clonard.com

an occasion to recall friends and neighbours.

The Church in Pluralist Society: Social and

Political Roles

Edited by Cornelius J. Casey and Fáinche Ryan

Notre Dame University Press, 2019 Paperback: 178 pages

Vatican II opened new pathways to engagement with societies shaped by modernity. Its project could be read as an attempt to interpret the stance of the church in relation to the whole project of modernity. These papers were presented at a conference hosted by the Loyola Institute, Trinity College Dublin. Loyola is a relatively new institute offering postgraduate programmes in theology in the Catholic tradition.

The fundamental insight inspiring this collection is that it is an opportune time to keep alive and deepen the question of the Church's self-understanding in its journey alongside "the complex, often rebellious, always restless mind of the modern world". The editors have assembled a team of prominent international commentators from

the fields of theology, political philosophy, social theory, and cultural criticism. They offer differing perspectives on the role of the Church. Some argue that pluralism is here to stay, others suggest that contemporary society’s liberal pluralism is aggressively powered by a destructive corporate consumerism. What, then, is the role of the Church, and specifically the Catholic Church, in a pluralist society? This book suggests that there is not one single narrative but that there are many narratives, some perhaps competing and at odds with one another. Many of the contributors will be familiar names. The contributors are drawn from the USA and Europe and include Brian Hehir, Terry Eagleton, Patrick J. Deneen, Hans Joas, William T. Cavanaugh, Massimo Faggioli, Fáinche Ryan, Patrick Riordan, and Cornelius J. Casey.

Hearers of The Word – Praying and Exploring the

Readings for Advent and Christmas: Year B

By Kieran J O’Mahony OSA

Messenger Publications, Dublin

Paperback: 216 pages, €19.95 £18.95

ISBN: 9780268106423 Fr Kieran O’Mahony OSA is an accomplished biblical scholar as well as a popular lecturer who is well known for introducing the people of God, both clerical and lay, to reading and interpretation of scripture, especially as set before us for the great liturgical seasons. Having launched the lectionary readings for

Advent/Christmastide last year, he begins afresh his commentaries for the second year of the Roman Catholic lectionary. While many of its prospective readers will undoubtedly welcome it as a source for homilies or short messages for the day based on the readings, this is a book that is intended above all to be prayed. There are plenty of short prayers, many of them the work of Fr O ’Mahony’s Augustinian confrère, John Byrne. There are also useful, if brief, suggestions for further reading. Particularly illuminating will be two by Jewish scholars, Nahum Ward-Levy, a relative newcomer, and a long-recognised classic, Abraham Heschel’s The Prophets. Carol Dempsey’s The Prophet’s: A Liberation-Critical Reading is also excellent. Walter Bruggeman has a skilled commentator’s ability to make associations – I am not familiar with his Virus as a Summons to Faith but it is, to say the least, topical.!

This promises to be a useful book for the weeks ahead.

Inspiring Faith Communities: A Programme of

Evangelisation

By Fr Michael Hurley

Messenger Publications, Dublin 2020

Paperback: 120 pages €12.95 £11.95

ISBN: 9781788122696 This might be a particularly useful tool for a parish attempting to organise a project for pastoral life in the days following coronavirus. True, it is not directly related to the pandemic, but a new parish project might be a way of breathing life back into what might have become very dry bones. A good place to start reading this book is at the author’s personal reflection (127-144). It will set out a basic understanding of the ‘cell movement’ and how Fr Hurley came to be associated with it and what it attempts to do in inspiring the faith communities on which it is structured. It has brought Fr Hurley into contact with many communities of this type in places as different as the United States and the parish of San Ambrogio in Milan. Section 3, however, is the real meat of the book. It provides the material for six meetings. The meetings are clearly planned (including that indispensable element for any Irish meeting of this type – the tea break!). There is an additional short booklet, Living Words, that provides brief daily Bible readings for the six

weeks of the programme.