Youth Ministry
Resources - Christmas - The Holy Family Mt
2:13-15 - Christmas - The Holy FamilyThis
Sunday's feast of the Holy Family offers something for all of us. Sometimes the
Holy Family can be so idealised that they appear perfect and far beyond the ordinary
experiences of our families. When we are so aware of the shortcomings, the fights,
the lack of patience and the selfishness that all hinder good relationships in
our families we all feel poorer when compared with the Holy Family. Let's
have a look at this family. We have listened to the genealogy of Jesus Christ,
son of David, son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac was the father
of Jacob etc and it is worth remembering that in that long list of ancestors there
are just as many sinners as there are saints. Just
because their names are in the Bible it does not make them holy people. There
is more than enough murder, jealousy, adultery and unwanted pregnancies to fill
any Hollywood soap opera. The Bold and the Beautiful could make way for the Biblical
and the Banished! God was
clearly in the midst of this colourful genealogy of Jesus the Christ, in the midst
of the significant people and those who appear insignificant and it was all happening
to ensure that the Incarnation could take place. God
chose to become human, to come as a small baby of questionable parentage to offer
us salvation. A young virgin found to be with child - happens all the time today
and yet the overall response to these young women is one of shame and rejection. Violence
is threatening the life of this new baby Jesus - something that happens all the
time today in far too many countries and not all the families can flee the oppressors.
Joseph was able to safely take his family to another country - something that
happens all the time today and when these families arrive they are locked up,
if they arrive in Australia, they are locked up for years and treated like criminals.
Some countries can process their illegal immigrants in a matter of weeks or months
yet this land of wide open spaces offers incarceration in the desert. Around
the world over 3 billion people cannot attend church without harassment, oppression
or the threat of torture and death. We live in a wonderful country overflowing
with freedom and yet many do not stop on a Sunday to offer thanks to God. The
word Eucharist means 'to give thanks' it takes less than an hour and provides
us with the nourishment to face the challenges of the week. The challenge for
us is to find one hour to do just that. Cate
Mapstone Youth
Angle The way
in which God chose for his son to be born is really an amazing thing. There are
symbols to show that he really is a Universal Prince – and was born as an
example and saviour to ALL of creation. He was born in the poorest conditions.
Had he been
born in the Novotel or Royal North Shore Hospital he would not be accessible to
all. It would only be some few. But he was born in the poorest conditions so that
we would know it was for all. He
had visitors who were wise men or magi – they were educated people. And also
there were the shepherds – herding their sheep on a cold winter’s night
- more than likely uneducated. And the shepherds were locals – they didn’t
travel far. And
yet the Magi were foreigners from the East and travelled a long way to see the
King who was born. So he was born for rich, poor, educated, uneducated, foreigners
and locals. And let’s not forget there were animals in the stable. And angels
in the sky, together with a bright star. Involved
in the Christmas Story are symbols
for man, animal, mineral and supernatural beings. This is a prince for all of
creation. A truly universal prince.
Manuela
Macri Youth
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