Christmas Message from Laurence Freeman OSB

The Christmas story - like the human condition it illuminates - is a blend of light and shade. We celebrate the manifestation of the Prince of Peace this year - as every year - in a world riven by violence and insane destruction. Jesus knew rejection, exile and atrocity even in his infant consciousness. That is the meaning of our celebration of the wonder and mystery of his birth. The light shines in a world with too many areas of darkness. But it shines. It cannot be extinguished, reminding us with the all-powerful gentleness of spirit and humility of God of the essential and ineradicable goodness of creation and of human nature.

Our world needs a clear contemplative vision to know this hope and to live by its faith. Each time we meditate we are cleansing the doors of perception not only for ourselves but in some real and mysterious way for all our human family. Each small meditation group is a little light and each sharing of the teaching a lifting of consciousness.

May these coming days of celebrating the mystery of Jesus enrich your own spiritual journey and bring grace to your families and everyone you share the festival with. You will be all in my heart especially at midnight mass.

Let us all hold each other especially in our hearts at noon on the 30th December, Fr John's 24th anniversary. It would be a wonderful sign if as many of us as possible - alone or in groups - came together in the spirit at that time to meditate. The differences - of timezone and geography - would then become a means of overcoming division - extending and deepening our experience of union in Christ in time and the incarnation of the present moment.

With much love and wishing you every grace and blessing for Christmas and the new year.

Laurence

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