Catholic Diocese of Cork and Ross
Church of Ireland - Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross
Joint Press Release
Monday, 10th December, 2007
Immediate Release
Joint Christmas Message from the Two Bishops of Cork
Bishop John Buckley and Bishop Paul Colton
Christmas, 2007
A restless society needs a spiritual home
More than ever, in our global society, the world seems to be on the move at Christmas time: people travelling home for Christmas. In this respect, not a lot has changed since the days of that first Christmas when everyone was going to their own towns for the census. Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem where their baby was born.
Many will be welcomed home to Cork for Christmas. Our city and county will also have many staying for the festival who have been unable to go home to their own families.
At a deeper level, going home, finding our own place, and rooting ourselves is a religious and spiritual quest. Making home and finding home is deeply instinctive: physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Today there is a restlessness and searching about so much of our living, some of it inevitable and more of it the product of our times. Many people are increasingly dislocated from the things of faith; their spiritual home. Christmas prompts us to ask important questions: ‘what is the purpose of life?’, ‘why are we here?’ ‘where are we going?’ and ‘what will bring us happiness?’ St. Augustine famously stated that ‘Our hearts are restless, O Lord, and they shall not rest until they rest in thee alone’.
Christmas invites us all to discover once more, and to rest in, our spiritual home with Jesus, the baby in the manger; the one who is the light of the world and who is Emmanuel, God with us. He is the answer to our questions.
We wish you all in your homes, and especially those celebrating Christmas away from home, every joy, happiness and blessing throughout this Holy Season and throughout the New Year.
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