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Think of others this ChristmasEditorial printed on 24 December 2004THE Saviour of mankind was born in a cowshed and cradled in a manger. Tomorrow hundreds of millions of His worshippers will celebrate His birth in surroundings that bear a greater resemblance to King Herod's palace than the stable in Bethlehem or the carpenter's workshop in Nazareth. They will feast lavishly. They will sing and play and give one another presents. Jesus would not have reproached them. He changed water into wine. He dined with sinners. He allowed Himself to be anointed. He was no killjoy. But He also told His followers to feed the hungry and clothe the naked and care for the weak, the sick and prisoners. And He had no love for self-indulgence or ostentation. Nothing could be easier than to translate His teaching into modern terms. He would have told us not to waste; half of what appears on our plates tomorrow will be thrown out after dinner. He would have told us not to endanger our lives and those of others by drink-driving; there are always children lamenting lost parents on what should be the happiest of feasts for children. And He would have urged us to give to the poor; there is still time to support one of the many splendid Irish aid agencies. And there are marginalised and neglected people in Ireland too -- and agencies to help them, which equally deserve support. Happy Christmas! It will be all the happier if we think of others. Jesus did. |