Fr Senan Furlong OSB
In her late 40s, the English poet UA Fanthorpe, turned into what she called “a middle-aged drop-out”. She gave up her responsibilities as a much-loved and admired teacher to take a modestly paid job as a hospital clerk. It was this sudden decision to change the entire pattern of her life that gave birth to her new life as a poet. She was one of those late starters who found their way. Each Christmas she composed a poem to include in her Christmas card to her friends. One of these titled, BC—AD, captures that apparently non-descript moment when time BC (before Christ) turned into time after, AD. It was in that seemingly unremarkable moment, however, that the great mystery hidden for ages and generations, was revealed. This is what we
celebrate here today.
This was the moment when Before
Turned into After ….
This was the moment when nothing
Happened. Only dull peace
Sprawled boringly over the earth.
This was the moment when even energetic Romans
Could find nothing better to do
Than counting heads in remote provinces.
And this was the moment
When a few farm workers and three
Members of an obscure Persian sect
Walked haphazard by starlight straight
Into the kingdom of heaven.
Christmas invites to stop and stand still, and not miss the moment when before turns into after. For Christmas is the moment when God reveals his goodness and love, and consoles his people. It is the moment when the Word is made flesh and lives among us, and God’s promise to be with us is fulfilled. It is the moment when Christ, the true light who gives light to everyone, comes into our broken world, giving us hope that the darkness will not overwhelm us.
Today is the moment when before turns into after. Let us not let Christmas pass us by. Today is the moment when Christ is born. Let us not hinder his birth in us. Today is the moment when we share God’s own nature. Let us not forget our dignity. Stop, turn aside and see. Look at the One who is born this day in Bethlehem. He will change the
entire pattern of our lives. Do not fear to be a late starter. Seek and you will find him who is Way, the Truth and the Life. Today let us drop out. Today let us start afresh. Let us begin to love this God who became one like us in the flesh, and setting out once again from there let us love one another. Who knows we may walk haphazard by starlight straight into the kingdom of heaven?