Fr Frank Brennan's Homily – Christmas Day 2024
Homily for Christmas Day, 25th December 2024
Readings: Isaiah 9:1-7; Psalm 95; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14
Merry Christmas!
During the week I was in a busy shopping centre. Christmas carols were blaring out on the sound system. There were tinsel and Christmas decorations on every pole. There was a lot of shopping going on – no doubt last minute purchases for Christmas. We were all going about our own business, but in a strange sort of way, we all knew that it was the same business. I approached an escalator. Ahead of me was a couple. The man went ahead. The woman froze. She could not bring herself to get on the escalator. I offered her my arm. She got on board – tentative and afraid. The man turned around with a beaming smile. He said: ‘We’re not used to this. We arrived yesterday from the Solomon Islands.’ We rode the escalator together. They thanked me and we wished each other a happy Christmas. They got off the escalator together, and I do hope they’re celebrating a blessed Christmas, enjoying all the benefits of their new surrounds.
Listen on Soundcloud.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils.
Even those of us well used to riding escalators know that Christmas can be a prime time for tentative fear giving way to liberated joy.
During the week, cartoonist Michael Leunig died. He was a cartoonist long enough to be in and out of favour. Like all great cartoonists, he was able to sketch the mystery of life, and as a simple reality. One of my favourites was his ‘Christmas miracle’, a scene to bring joy and hope when we have just no idea where to start in bringing peace to a broken world or reconciliation to fractured relationships:
Christmas Miracle
Once upon a time there were three wise men…
..and three wise women.
They met under a mysterious bright star.
They talked, they laughed, they shared food, they enjoyed each other’s company.
They appreciated each other. They inspired and humbled each other.
They became friends for life. They found peace together. It was a miracle.’
During the week, I heard a learned podcast by polling experts from both sides of the political fence discussing next year’s federal election. They agreed on two things. We the voters are looking for a leader with integrity, empathy, strength and vision. And we the voters, are dissatisfied because we don’t think either option fits the bill. But here we are at Christmas celebrating the birth of one who incarnates integrity, empathy, strength and vision for us in life and in death, one who is good news for us, no matter what the bad news round about us.
Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a saviour has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
During the week, Australian novelist and teacher John Marsden died. On radio they were recalling his ‘Prayer for the Twenty First Century’ that concludes:
May the knife remain in the holder,
May the bullet stay in the gun,
May those who live in the shadows
Be seen by those in the sun
Though a highly successful writer, he was still teaching primary school in a country town. He described his year 7 English class this year as one of the three most memorable and rewarding teaching experiences of his long career. Just days before he died, he thanked the year 7 students for their humour, playfulness and connection.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counsellor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.
During the week, we also celebrated the requiem mass for the late Kevin Andrews, a politician who was my age. Kevin and his wife Margaret joined me for coffee a month ago. Margaret left Kevin and me to chat so that we could compare notes on our medical conditions and treatments. We expected to meet again. It was not to be. We agreed that we were very blessed to live in Australia in the 21st century with first rate medical care. I told Kevin that my novel treatment was now readily available at the chemist for a modest monthly payment. At an earlier time, the treatment did not exist. In other countries, it would cost a fortune.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
We remember Margaret Andrews, her children and grandchildren, and all those who mourn the loss of loved ones this Christmas. We give thanks for all those who share their humour, playfulness and connection with us this Christmas. We give thanks for the baby in the manger who brings us integrity, empathy, strength and vision.[1] We delight in those Christmas moments under the mysterious bright star when people befriend each other, even in hostile places. We pray that all our tentative fears will give way to liberated joy this Christmas. May the love and wonder of the Christ child’s birth reign in our world. Let us pray as one.
Wishing you all a happy and blessed Christmas.[2]
[1] Listen at https://soundcloud.com/frank-brennan-6/laura-jayes-podcast
[2] I will resume published homilies on 26 January 2025.
Frank Brennan bought this small wood carving from Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem 20 years ago. Image: supplied
Fr Frank Brennan SJ is serving as part of a Jesuit team of priests working within a new configuration of the Toowong, St Lucia and Indooroopilly parishes in the Archdiocese of Brisbane. Frank Brennan SJ is a former CEO of Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA). Fr Frank’s latest book is An Indigenous Voice to Parliament: Considering a Constitutional Bridge, Garratt Publishing, 2023 and his new book is ‘Lessons from Our Failure to Build a Constitutional Bridge in the 2023 Referendum’ (Connor Court, 2024).
