Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice - December 21, 2024

The people in darkness have seen a great light. Isaiah 9:2

For millennia people have celebrated the return to longer daylight by counting the hours, hosting a feast, burning a yule log, hosting a reflective event, lighting candles; the options are endless. Who doesn’t love daylight. This year, however, my solstice reflection has focused more on the gifts that darkness offers. Recently we have had some stunning night skies. We have had 4 supermoons this year, unusual southern views of Northern lights, several meteor showers and amazing views of constellations. We would have enjoyed none of these were it not for the darkness that amplified them. City dwellers miss out on so much of these experiences because of too much light.

Carl Jung believed that enlightenment comes from becoming aware of our shadow self rather than from imaging the light. Light and darkness for me are two sides of a necessarily balanced coin. On Dec 21st this year challenge yourself to celebrate the gifts of both light and darkness.

-Maureen Condon, CSJ Associate

Image: Kacper Szczechla @wyroq/ Unsplash

The Hidden Light of Advent

Each Year as Advent approaches, I and others promise ourselves additional moments of quiet reflection to anchor Bethlehem’s gift into the ordinariness of the daily. As usual the obligations of the daily unfold, and moments of joy become added, as we celebrate Christmas (a bit early) with those with whom we live, meet and work. Often there is a trip to the mall, and we know for certain that upon departure we will hear echoed, “have a holly, jolly, Christmas, this year.” The days slip by.

It is not surprising that the Liturgy tries to recapture our attention with the beginning of  the “O Antiphons of Advent” on December 17th .  These antiphons will be with us until December 23rd. At first glance, we recognize that each of the seven is an attribute of the Child to be born in Bethlehem. For example, “O Wisdom” celebrates the creative and creating Word of God - a celebration and a hope/longing for truth/justice/peace to reign. We are conscious of the hunger of a world that cries for wholeness and seeks to acquire it- often by force.  As we probe the meaning of each of the antiphons, we find both an attribute of Bethlehem’s Child and an existential challenge.  “O Rising Sun” offers a supplication to God to intervene in the chaos we have created.  We seek justice, for peoples, for nations, for the poor, for families, for war-torn lands. Our exploration of the Great “Os” and their significance in our daily lives continues until December 23rd.

Our readings for the 4th Sunday of Advent continue our preparation for Christmas.  Micah (5:2-5a) notes that the ruler of Israel is from Bethlehem and that people will live secure and that “he” shall be peace. The second reading, from Hebrews. posits that Christ abolishes the offerings dictated by law and simply states “I have come to do your will.” The author notes that “it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”  (Hebrews 10:5-10). The gospel reading from Luke (1:39-45) recounts Mary’s travel to Ein Karem to greet her cousin Elizabeth who exclaims “as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy.”  Undoubtedly this visit is linked to Mary’s earlier “fiat”. On the surface there is a warm greeting between cousins. However, travelling in the first century was not a simple task. The journey from Nazareth to Judea would take at least four days on foot or donkey. Often people travelled by Caravan. A woman, particularly a young unmarried girl, travelling alone leaves herself open to charges of shameful conduct. Luke brings together these two Mothers-to-be to recognize and celebrate the God who is so entwined in their lives and subsequently in the lives of their children.

On December 25th, the Birth of the Babe in Bethlehem underscores our belief that God is with us – yesterday, today, and tomorrow. On December 26th we walk confidently forward amid the graces and challenges of our time to gift 2025 with the love of neighbour, the CSJ Charism.

-Sister Anne Anderson, CSJ

Image: Greyson Joralemon; Max Beck | Unsplash

Make the Season Kind

CBC is embracing a heartwarming campaign to spread the Christmas spirit. Their public service announcements feature a series of recognizable public figures sharing the message of “make the season kind.” To augment this message each celebrity stands holding a cardboard box filled to the brim with groceries. These PSAs encourage us all to make the season kind, highlighting the importance of giving.

Reflecting on these powerful messages, I found myself pondering a “what if.” What if people calculated the amount they spend on Christmas shopping and redirected a portion of it to their local food bank? Historically, tithing has meant contributing a tenth of one's income to a faith community. What if we considered applying this same practice to food security by calculating 10% of our Christmas spending and donating to a food bank. In light of your calculated amount, making a donation, in whole or in part, would be a meaningful, modern twist or addition to a long-standing practice.

I donated 10% of the amount I calculated that I spent on gifts this holiday season to my local food bank. I offer a friendly challenge to those of you who are fortunate enough to enjoy food security -  make your own donation.

Let us make this season one of giving in a way that truly nourishes our communities. ‘Tis the Season. 💗

-Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ

Image: JESHOOTS.COM @jeshoots/ Unsplash

Rebuilding the World

The Danish construction toy company, Lego, promotes the “Rebuild the world” campaign to create a better, kinder, more fun place. Current times are often best described as unsettled, uncertain and often unkind. Now is the time to respond to the clarion call for people of goodwill to help fashion a better, kinder and a more fun place, in which to live. How might we envision this place in which all would be welcomed and safe? As you imagine this better world, focus on what you see around you. Next, consider what needs to change to take this fancied place to a wholesome world that all can experience as reality.

In my Advent reflections, I recognize that the role I can play to make a difference is in my everyday interactions, small acts of kindness, and the manner in which I use my words and actions to build trust and understanding. I can listen more carefully, speak with empathy, and take steps to ensure that others feel heard. I can advocate for fairness and justice, using my voice to support those who need it. Most importantly, I can create and nurture spaces where others feel safe to express themselves without fear of judgment.

As we move through Advent and into the new year, I commit to engaging in actions — big and small — that help to build this better world. It’s in every moment that we choose to act with courage and kindness, and every time we look beyond ourselves to see the needs of others.

As Thomas Douglas, a Canadian politician, who championed universal health care against all odds urged fellow Canadians, "Courage, my friends, ‘tis not too late to build a better world." Let us take his confidence to heart, and through our words and actions, add one more Lego block in the creation of safer, kinder towns and cities.

-Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ

Image: Xavi Cabrera @xavi_cabrera/ Unsplash