Spreading the message of fresh life and renewed hope

Fr Thomas Nulty, national chaplain of the Catholic Nurses Guild of England and Wales, calls on members and others to help in making known the real meaning of Christmas.
My dear Friends, On the first Christmas morning the shepherds heard the angels sing, "Glory to God in the highest and Peace 'on earth to men of goodwill."
Peace, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, is the Christmas gift that God is giving his children — peace.with God and with one's fellow men. It is easily said but not always easily carried out in practice.
The poet says, "Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and
sinners reconciled." That is the advice given by St. Paul to the Corinthians; "Be reconciled with God." II Cor. V.20.
If we are truly reconciled with God, Our heavenly Father, we shall also be at peace with our neighbour. In the same letter to the Corinthians, he says, "You
know the grace, the love, of our Lord Jesus Christ: that being rich, he became poor for our sakes, that through his poverty you may be made rich." II Cor. VIII, 9.
This Christmas message written nearly two thousand years ago by the great Apostle of the Gentiles, contains the greatest joys, the richest blessings, and true happiness that is ours through the glad tidings of the Gospel.
St. Peter tells us in his second epistle, that He takes the form of a slave that we may be free — "Free with the freedom wherewith Christ had made us free." He came to die in order that we might live.
So this is indeed a wonderful message for all to hear. It is unique in the world's history. The people of God are a new creation — "we have clothed ourselves in Christ." We have received his Spirit into our hearts. The good news of the gospel is truly marvellous.
It is dynamic — it gives new life and engenders hope. It is very urgent; for Holy Scripture tells us "to labour while it is yet
day, for the night eometh when no man may work."
The few short, fleeting years of this transient life are soon to be engulfed in the great ocean of eternity, and as Shakespeare tells us, "we reach that land, from whose bourne no traveller hath ever returned."
One sometimes wonders if we are absolutely convinced of this great truth ourselves. If we were, it would manifest itself in a greater enthusiasm and a more ardent zeal.
As members and chaplains of the Guild, and indeed others who may read these lines, could
we, before the Holy Year ends, make an honest attempt to make this message known, to spread
the good news and share our Faith with others. Could those who are members of the Guild seriously endeavour to recruit new members?
They will gain spiritually, professionally, not to mention socially, by joining.
The European Seminar and annual General Conference of the Guild will take place at St.
Mary's College, Strawberry Hill, London, in September of next year. A large number is expected from England and Wales, Ireland and Scotland, as well as delegates from many European countries.
If wc attend in good numbers our colleagues will be edified — if we are lacking in strength of numbers, naturally they will judge us to be apathetic and indifferent.
We should conic together and show a real interest in upholding God's law and Christian principles; esclecially in the field of medico-moral ethics, in the pluralistic society in which we live. Now is the time to make provision and to see about bookings, etc.
In the meantime we prepare for the Feast of feasts, when the whole wide world commemorates the birth ol' Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the desired of' all nations, the Prince of Peace.
There is great poverty in the world; yet there are butter mountains, and wine lakes, and thousands of people dying of starvation every day.
There is loneliness in the world; yet we know that blankets and rugs will keep the body warm, while it is love alone that warms the human heart.
Prayer is the golden key that opens the heart of God: it is also capable of changing and transforming the heart of man.
St Paul tells us, "If we have not the Spirit of Christ, we do not belong to him." Could we all, at this Holy season, seriously endeavour to cultivate his spirit, and open our hearts to him. This is the only sure way of experiencing his joy and his peace.
As we kneel before the crib, and what a lesson in humility — here is the King of Kings and Lord of all, a helpless babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
There was no room for him in the inn. Let him find a place in our hearts. That is my earnest prayer for you all, that his love, his peace and his joy, may be in your hearts and in your homes.