Christmas Message

There is so much suffering in our world today. It seems that there is a lack of hope. There are many divisions among families who are split over politics, assailed by the shame of abuse in our Catholic

Churches and confused over who to believe on the news. I am sure that the people of Jesus’ time felt just as confused and oppressed.

It seems that the only answer is to choose to love.

I have shared this poem before, and it still speaks to me about the hope of Christmas.

 Unexpected from Kneeling in Bethlehem.by Ann Weems

Even now we simply do not expect

to find a deity in a stable.

Somehow the setting is all wrong:

the swaddling clothes too plain,

the manger too common for the likes of a Savior,

the straw inelegant,

the animals, reeking and noisy,

the whole scene too ordinary for our taste.

And the cast of characters is no better.

With the possible expectation of the kings,

who among them is fit for this night?

the shepherds? Certainly too crude,

the carpenter too rough,

the girl too young.

And the baby!

Whoever expected a baby?

Whoever expected the advent of God in a helpless child?

Had the Messiah arrived in the blazing light of the glory

of a legion of angels wielding gold swords,

The whole world could have been conquered for Christ

right then and there

and we in the church-t say nothing of the world!-

wouldn’t have so much trouble today,

Even now we simply do not expect

to face the world armed with love.

May you and your family have a blessed Christmas and may we choose love.

Blessings and Merry Christmas, 

Sister Clare Carr & 

The Sisters of Benet Hill Monastery