How a few days can change the centre of our attention. For many, the idea of celebrating Christmas with family and friends has been dashed by the recent outbreak of COVID in the Northern Beaches. The limitation of travel from Greater Sydney to any state or territory was quickly closed. While it is possible to understand the need for good care of people's health there are deeper questions that emerge. Is a hard border a true safeguard against the virus if people behind that border continue to live as though COVID does not exist? There is a need for governments not only to provide safeguards but also to inspire confidence that will bring hope to a nation. People, in general, have been quick to respond in downloading the COVID19 app in the promise that it would deliver greater freedom of movement. The broad response is that this has not been adequate. The QR codes, in the same way, have relied more on people's goodwill to come forward to get tested. While we know it is important not to be complacent people have adopted social distancing and restrictions on gatherings. What may be needed is something that no government can provide which is a sense of hope and joy when all seems hopeless and sad.
It is important to remember that the birth of Jesus came during similar government instructions. Mary and Joseph need to travel to Bethlehem to be registered as part of the Census. They would have experienced difficulties and uncertainties in their travel from Nazareth as they passed others seeking to respond to these instructions. In many ways, they would not have had time to book ahead and on their arrival in Bethlehem found all the best spots taken. We can know their experience of exhaustion mixed with the expectation of the birth impending. Yet in the midst of it all, there is an acceptance which seeks something greater at work. The birth of this child in a confused and uncertain world allowed people to see their lives differently. Often it took those on the margins (the shepherds) and the foreigners (the wise men) to see what was really happening. Maybe this is the case for ourselves that we can become so caught up in our own worlds that we do not see the broader scope of life.
Will we appear out of this crisis in the same way we went in. In many ways, people have tended to see this as a temporary matter which interferes with daily life so that we can return to normal. This may be the opportunity for prayer and reflection on what brings hope to our lives. Rather than a frantic rush to make new year resolutions maybe it is time to find out whether we have room in our heart to receive the Child Jesus or whether we will maintain a hard border around them. Will it breed deeper compassion or will it breed deeper isolation from God and from others? Will we emerge from this crisis as people of deeper holiness or of deeper suspicion and scepticism? In the time that may have been forced upon us by circumstances beyond our control, this is a time to reflect, study and act for a world which proclaims the Good News in everyday life.
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