Christmas 2024 messages: Catholic Bishop of Geraldton Michael Morrissey reflects on Jesus’ kindness and love

St Francis of Assisi in Italy 800 years ago built the first Christmas crib reminding us of the simplicity of God coming among us in a stable at Bethlehem. People of all walks of life love the Christmas crib. Mysteriously it speaks to our deepest needs for connection with God, family and community. Yet somewhere we often let the busyness of life and work before the holidays cloud our thinking, and feel overpowered by tension, allowing it to affect our relationship with others. St John believed Jesus, born in a stable, was “a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower” [Jn1:5]. For people of faith, that Jesus is our saviour. He went through the same experiences and feelings, and He now sits with each one of us, listening, and is present with us through everything as a light shining through our darkness. This sitting with humanity didn’t just end with the Shepherds and Magi 2000 years ago, it occurs here and now in your life. Allow the peace his presence brings to overpower the darkness. As we wait for Christmas, remember how Jesus came into our world revealing, “the kindness and love of God our saviour” [Titus 3:4]. May you be truly blessed with a Happy Christmas with family and friends and a new year full of faith filled hope for all.