More than 300 people recently attended the funeral of a woman in Carlow, after an appeal on social media by a funeral director who was concerned there would be very few people present.
Mary Regan, 89, had lived in Carlow for several years and since the passing of her husband Fred, over a year ago, the west Cork native had no next-of-kin. She also did not have many visitors to Hillview Nursing Home where she resided.
Following her death, Funeral Director Rory Healy went on social media and asked locals in Carlow to spare 90 minutes of their time to attend her funeral before she was returned home to west Cork to be buried. “Let’s not send Mary off from Carlow alone,” he said in his online appeal. There is something inherently decent and kind in all our hearts. As we move closer to the Christmas celebration often it brings out the best in human nature.
The infant Jesus and his parents Mary and Joseph made a number of journeys – to Bethlehem and then to Egypt. The innkeeper in Bethlehem was willing both to compromise and to improvise. Not least at Christmas, Christians today are asked to become innkeepers. They are invited to follow the light of humanity and of dignity and to make connections of grace and generosity with people just like themselves who have found that their journey has led them to Direct Provision, to emergency accommodation and to rough sleeping. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me; he has sent me to announce good news to the poor.
The Christmas story inspires a people lost in darkness, to hope in a new light. Shepard’s who are impoverished, a young couple, Mary and Joseph seeking basic shelter to give birth to new life, Jesus our Saviour. There are very little luxuries or niceties in this story. Poverty, hardship and suffering are from the beginning felt by those who facilitate the light of the Christ Child to shine. Hence the Shepherds, impoverished and often hungry are the very first to witness the hope that comes from the new life of the Saviours birth. Despite their struggle, the presence of this child offers new hope. Transformed their sorrow and fear can now be transcended to a beautiful confidence that no matter what all will be well.
The good news story that we are about to celebrate is that we are not alone. Each one of us are willed into life so that we can celebrate the powerful gift of every moment. Christmas is a time to ponder and give thanks for the gifts that we all have been blessed with. The bright promise of Christ’s presence assures us to be confident that we are not alone, God is very near.
This is a time for justice, a time for renewal, a time for change. Jesus born in great poverty to a family placed on the margins is our source of new life, renewal, hope and confidence. Jesus feels no doubt the immense pain and suffering that is felt in the hearts of so many good people at this time. “In him we live and move and have our being”
The gift of Christmas is to indulge in a bright light that is so much brighter than any darkness. There is no recession when it comes to the kingdom of Jesus Christ. There are no cutbacks in the
unconditional love Jesus has for us all. The new life of Jesus Christ is not something that just once happened but a promise that needs to be realised in all our lives. This is the time.
Deep in the winter soil, already new shots of new life will soon spring forth and remind us that the light of spring is yet again in our midst. So many inspirational people and agencies have responded with compassion and kindness to our most vulnerable at this time. The fruits of new life anoint even the darkest most vulnerable wounds with a resilient courage and peace to continue and trust. This Christmas may we embrace what is given to us all, the opportunity to Begin Again. At Christmas, we pray that through Christ, we will all be united in shared goals, to look out for and care for one another more; to reach out to those who have less; to support those who carry heavy burdens and to be eternally grateful for the many blessings we have — today and always
A Christmas Prayer
Little baby Jesus was born upon this day
Lying in a manger, laid upon soft hay.
His mother Mary cared for him,
His dad Joseph felt proud,
To be given such a precious boy,
They felt safe within Gods plans.
Shepherds came to greet him,
Wise men carried gifts,
And gave them to the baby,
They knew he would be king.
So we too on Christmas day
Come to worship him.
And celebrate, with love and hope,
To play and laugh and sing.
We love the lights upon the tree,
The presents and the food.
We share this special time together
And say our God is good.
So good he sent us Jesus
To walk and shine the way,
For us all to follow him,
Into a heavenly day.
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