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Light Christmas

This is a summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily delivered at St. Charles on December 24, 2003

WHO CAME LOOKING for Jesus? The shepherds, the angels, the wise men, Mary and Joseph, the ox and the ass and all creation wanted to be close to him. Do you? Do I?

There are some who claim a closeness that make you wonder. Their relationship coexists with intolerance and an aversion to forgiveness. It is as if you can separate the person from the message.

There are others who find Jesus irrelevant. He may make an appearance at a funeral as an ornament, or at a wedding as the icing. Jesus makes no difference in the daily conduct of living. The last question facing any issue would be, "What would Jesus think?" We bow to him awkwardly at Christmas and Easter.

Do I want to be close to him?

Let me confess. I often think I am more committed to His message of peace and justice than I am to His person. Like many an Irish person, it may be easier for me to feel close to Mary. Maybe some day I will deserve to have a friendship…I'd rather do His work than bask in the warmth of His love.

My grandparents had a half-door to their house. At Christmas each window held a lighted colored candle in a jam jar. There was holly at the half open door. The stranger travelling the dark roads of winter would find a home as surely as Christ.

Tonight is a time for each of us to look at the door of our hearts. Perhaps tonight we may open it a chink. Let us dare to come closer. The light of His friendship may make all the difference, as it did for His first companions.

  or  2003 Homilies