Christmas is here again! This is a wonderful time of year, but hard for many who are struggling in so many ways.
The Christian scriptures reflect on the fact that ‘the word became flesh and the Presence of God dwelt amongst us’ John 1:14
In this sacred story, the Magi or ‘three wise men’, after studying the stars, travel from a foreign and non-Jewish nation bearing gifts to pay homage to the infant Jesus. This symbolised the fact that Jesus was born for the good of all people across the planet.
Jesus had been sent to manifest the Love of the eternal God, to bring healing and mercy to all people. Throughout his life he spent most of his time ministering to the poor, lonely, sick, and abandoned, just as we at Mercy Community are called to do.
Let us reflect throughout this Christmas season, who is hurting and who is in need within our lives? Who is sad, broken in spirit, confused or perhaps just in need of companionship and support? We can bring Jesus the Healer to them in our own way and they, in turn, to us. If we do not share in the Christian faith, there is no reason why we can not fulfill this act in common, as we all are able to share compassion, hope and love with others.
God/Love is present in our world, but we so often fail to recognise this in our everyday life.  Jesus was born in an environment of extreme poverty, with nowhere to go even to be born, and then needed to flee his own country with his parents to live in a foreign country for a long time, as many of our refugee folk know so well. Through these circumstances Jesus is telling us where God may be found – not in places of glamour so much, as in the sick and dying, those who are fleeing danger, those afflicted by poverty and abandonment. In short, among the masses.
So, as we enter this Christmas Season, let us just stop for a time to reflect on recognising that although Jesus was born two thousand years ago, the Love of our God is present amongst us through an eternal Spirit that connects us all. That Spirit is among us in every person and in every trial and tribulation we encounter in our lives. We are so aware of war, sickness and political strife within the world.  Let us recognise Jesus (Eternal Love) present in our reaching out to others to help alleviate their suffering, and the immense reciprocation of love and connection we experience in this encounter.  Â
May you all have a very blessed and very Merry Christmas, Mercy Family, and an even greater year of connection with each other in 2023! Â
Blessings.
Shanelle Bennett
General Manager, Mission Integration
