Almost Christmas

+ Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney
19 Dec 2010

We are now six days away from Christmas, so we still have time to prepare, to do what we should.

I am not just thinking of those cards and presents which we still need to purchase or the food and drink for the festivities, but of other more important activities.

It was the New Testament's St. James who wrote that faith without works is dead.  Therefore at Christmas good parents encourage their children to think of others too e.g. to make contact with their grandparents and especially with elderly relatives or family friends.

We all know people whom we realise we should visit, but only manage to see infrequently.  In the next week we have a precious opportunity to improve on this score and bring some cheer to others.

Christmas is first of all a time to remember God in prayer.  Unfortunately many Catholics don't go to Mass each Sunday, but a goodly percentage of the irregulars come to worship at Christmas and Easter when numbers can double or treble.  In some parishes numbers also rise in each Advent season as more remember to do the right thing.

This year St. Mary's Cathedral has a wonderful display of lights on the Cathedral facade from 8.00pm until midnight each night until Christmas Day.  On most nights a different choir has performed on the Cathedral steps.

St. Mary's Cathedral should certainly be included on the list for a visit by families who come into the city to shop, or for a day out.  In my childhood, when we came to Melbourne for a family day we always visited St. Francis' inner city church for a prayer.  St. Mary's on Hyde Park is well placed to enable such a tradition to continue.

The light show is a miracle of modern technology, with the changing images in rich colours perfectly matching the many corners and angles, nooks and crannies of the Cathedral Southern entrance.

The scenes begin with the stars and comets of the heavens, moving to beautiful red flowers and lighted candles, with elaborately coloured butterflies fluttering on and off stage.  A spectacular rain storm seems to wash over the Cathedral, followed by a magnificent sun around the Cathedral's bay window and a wreath of Australian gum leaves and flowers.

Good crowds are coming every night to gather in the square around the crib and Christmas tree.  It's worth a visit.