When we think of Christmas as the feast of peace and goodwill, we are already getting beyond the notion of having a birthday party for Jesus and nothing else.

Christmas is an adult feast as well as being a feast for children. Our Christian communities celebrate the birth of Christ as people who have a common tradition of being baptised into his death and resurrection, and who appreciate the radical difference he has made to our lives. We celebrate this difference at the Christmas feast. When we invite his help, he enables us to build a new society where all are welcome. When we fail, he lifts us up again.

May God be with you this Christmas and always.