Another night is approaching, the longest night in the year. The celebration of the birth of the Son of our Lord yet again announces hopes in people's hearts as well as expectations that the next year will be better. These hopes are the greatest blessing that keeps coming every Christmas. The new millennium, for which we have already started counting days to arrive at, is almost before us. The 2000 years since the birth of Christ have not much changed the man. Only the environment around us has changed. Man's spirit has remained the same. This is why, even today, we can quote the words from the Old Testament, equally valid and equally warning. These words can always help us become better people. People who will enrich their and their neighbour's homes and make it accommodating to their fellow-creatures.
We can quote the words that the Angel addressed to Tobit and he told his son:..."My son, take care of the wages to be paid to the man who accompanied you; and a bit more should be given him." The son answered: "I won't save up even if I give him half of what I have brought with me, because he has brought me to you safe and sound, he cured my wife, gathered money and then cured you too". The father answered "It is his due. Take half of everything you have brought.. it's better to have little justly than much unjustly. It is better to bestow alms on people than collect gold into heaps. Charity delivers us from death, delivers us from every sin. Those who bestow alms and act justly will be filled with life, those who sin will be enemies to their lives."
The Angel who announced Our Lord's Son to Mary will come again and offer people a new chance. He will punish and encourage us even then when we are not conscious of it. He will take pity upon us and gather us round him again. That's why he says "... be truthful and he'll turn to you ...his tent will be put up again with joy... to offer joy to the banished ...generations will offer you their joyful praises ...they will be joyful because of your peace!
Jerusalem will then be rebuilt with sapphires and diamonds, its walls with precious stones, its towers and fortifications in pure gold. Our Lord's Home there will be built out of precious stuff, for all the future generations. The Lord will raise his people, and all those who love the Lord in truth and justice will rejoice, showing mercy towards their brethren".
