These years, I don't go to mid-night masses. I usually go to an earlier one at 8:00 p.m. for children and the aged. Tonight, Fr. Martin celebrated this mass with us. This mass was for children. So, instructors of the Sunday School produced a Christmas drama for the congregation. The plot was very simple but the actors and actresses, all of whom were children from Sunday School, were able to win the admiration of the audience. The congregation enjoyed it very much. The drama was able to convey a simple but forceful message ---- love reaches out to join everyone, to move everyone.
After the drama, Fr. Martin shared with us the same message but with a much deeper experience. He told us about 2 volunteers who have been working to improve the schooling for children in Qinghai 青海 province. Of course, the volunteers did not have enough resources to renovate the crumbling school premises, furniture nor help pay the salary of the teachers. They were only able to supply them with stationery, school bags, a pair of new shoes or even a new dress. The clothes worn by the children were not thick enough to resist the chilly climate. So, the 2 volunteers went with a group of school children to the market place to buy some new clothes. However, when the children saw the price tag --- 65 yuan, they decided not to buy. The 2 volunteers did not understand. The children told them that way back home, their parents were not able to earn 65 yuan a year! So, they decided to give up this opportunity to improve their situation. They preferred to stay put with whatever they were having then.
From the point of view of us, outsiders, we might think that the children were silly. Opportunity may visit you only once. If you miss it, it may never come back again. However, love links these children with the parents far away at home working hard to earn a meagre living, and to send them to school so that they may have a better future. Love makes these children remember the parents, remember the harsh living environment in which their parents are living. Here, Fr. Martin saw Jesus.
Love joins Jesus with us. Love makes Jesus remember our plights. Therefore, the Son of God gave up the power, the glory and the abundance in heaven to take up our flesh, our limitations and our poverty. He came to live with us and to die for us. This is the message of Christmas.
Returning to our situation, Fr. Martin reminded the young people to join their hearts with their parents. Do not take things for granted.
Before the end of the mass, Fr. Martin showed slides of cribs from different countries. It was a wonderful and eye-opening collection. The cribs were decorated in nationalistic characteristics. Three choices were shown. The children were frantic in putting up their hands. Fr. Martin enjoyed playing Santa Claus.
We walked home after mass. On the way, we met a lot of choirs carolling. People in Hong Kong deserve a moment of peace despite the gathering cloud of worries under this financial tsunami.
Dear King of Peace, You brought us the light of hope. May we find strength this Christmas to combat the upcoming financial crisis. Amen.
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