From the Chaplains

Welcome to December!

December is marked by festivities, travel and gathering with loved ones. For some of us it’s a time when we mourn those who are no longer around our Christmas table. For others, it’s when we finally get to open that novel we have been dying to read or attend to that DIY project at home.

In December, the holy days such as St. Nicholas Day, Immaculate Conception Day, Bodhi Day, Hanukkah, and of course Christmas Day are set apart by faithful reverence.

I don’t know about you, but the lazy schedule of holidays and prioritising of family time tends to allow me time to reflect over the year.

It allows me time to ask the deeper questions of myself that have been pushed aside by the busyness of the year. My lesser ‘to do’ list provides me with stillness in my mind and heart to seek the answers to those questions.

As Christmas Day approaches, the question that will be foremost on my heart is what might it look like for Jesus to be born in my home?

According to John’s Gospel, “the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelled among us (John 1:14).” The Message translation reads,

“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood”

As I walk along my street, hearing the squeals of children play, seeing the twinkling of Christmas lights and song of cicadas, I will be reflecting upon how my neighbourhood might change if God moved in. Would it change the way I see my neighbours or myself? Would people open their doors to him? What would welcoming God into my home look like? Would I fear like the shepherds, be curious like the wise men or faithful like Mary?

I invite you to ponder this very question over your Christmas break: what might it look like for me to welcome God into my home?

Merry Christmas!

Cass Blake

College Chaplain