There is a need for a greater balance between the story of Jesus and that of Santa Claus at Christmas time, the Bishop of Kerry has stressed.
Reflecting on the annual December celebrations, Bishop Ray Browne wondered how big a part faith plays and how much of a focus was put on the stable, the Christmas Mass and the Christmas candle?
He said there was something special about families visiting the crib in St Mary’s Cathedral in the days immediately before Christmas and about the church being full of families for the Christmas Eve Mass.
But, he said, he was thinking afterwards that it should be more of a 50/50 situation for children between Santa Claus and the birth of Jesus.
“I think, maybe, at the end of the day, it’s about Santa for 95 per cent of children,” he said.
“Santa is wonderful. It speaks of the generosity of the world, the goodness and the love for children that’s in the world and that’s very Christian but there is so much more too to be got from that whole image of the stable”, the bishop said on the diocesan radio programme Horizons.
“We are all fascinated at the idea that it was the breath of the cow and the donkey that kept the stable warm and the beauty of seeing a new-born baby and a little lamb. It has so much meaning.
”There is so much children can gain from the actual stable and the story of the birth of Jesus alongside, naturally, Santa who has a great claim to be number one in the hearts of most children,” he added.
Commenting on the inclement weather after Christmas, which caused hardship for so many families in Kerry, Bishop Browne said it was particularly difficult for people around Brosna who were three or four days without electricity, water or heat.
“There’s a lesson for us all in it not to take nature for granted,” he said.
“We have to adapt to nature and so much of what we have to adapt to now, sadly, is caused by the damage we have done to the earth and the climate change we have brought about by our actions.
“We are not invincible in ourselves. We cannot do everything on our own.
“We are not in 100 per cent control of our lives and, as neighbours and as a family, united together and helping one another, we are in a much stronger position to cope,” he said.
Wishing the newly formed coalition government well, Bishop Browne said he hopes it will last the full four years and he said people should value and appreciate their politicians.
“They do their best for the country, using their talents and strengths. They’re not all gifted in every area but, remember, each one of them has been elected by us. We put them there and they do of their best,” he said.
The bishop added that the future of the country is more in the hands of its citizens than its government. When we have a new government there should be an effort to say let’s give it our best as a people in the face of the challenges we face,” Bishop Browne added.
“Let’s play our part. Let’s be good citizens, let’s be good community members, let’s be good neighbours, let’s be good family members let’s give our children every chance so that they, in their turn, will be good citizens.
“Let’s all play our full part. Let’s realise that by giving of our best we contribute to making Ireland a better place. Surely that’s the Christian perspective,” the bishop added.
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