Boxing Day 2010
+ Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney
26 Dec 2010
The Australian cricket team gave us an unexpected Christmas present when they thrashed their English opponents in Perth as comprehensively as we were beaten in Adelaide. We are hoping for a couple more such presents.
On this Boxing Day, we can ponder how yesterday's festivities went, what we were celebrating, the presents we received.
A priest friend of mine, with a head full of interesting information, claims that our beautiful custom of wrapping presents goes back to ancient Roman times when nearly everyone revered many gods. He explains that those bringing an offering to a particular god covered the gift so the other gods would not see it, become jealous and bring misfortune on the gift-bearer.
The gods then were many and often seen as cranky, uninterested in the moral lives of their followers and capable of causing mischief, even suffering. We don't think of the one true God in these terms. God is good and true, even when life is unpredictable.
People throughout the world celebrate Christmas for a wide variety of reasons, but Christians adore the Christ child as the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity with Father and Spirit. Adoration is the worship given to God alone and comes from the Latin words "ad orem" i.e. to the mouth. Originally the Romans would put their hands to their mouths to blow kisses to their gods. We have travelled a long way since then.
Recent surveys imply that a goodly percentage of Christmas presents are not regarded as useful. This is not much of an argument against giving presents, because the love or friendship of the giver is more important. The first present a young child gives his mother or father is a precious moment and sometimes, often, we are deeply touched by simple gifts from friends or admirers.
Unbelievers or doubters who enjoy Christmas generally expect us as believers to state our claims fully, but feel (quite rightly) they can join in also. At the Maroubra parish carol service for young adults, many of the 30 orchestra players were not Christians, but they participated enthusiastically. All those who believe humans are the centre and highpoint of creation and regard babies as blessings can celebrate Christmas. If babies are only seen as an extra cost, yet another carbon footprint and giving presents seen as an unnecessary expense, then Christmas is only a barren ritual.
I hope Christmas was more than that.
