Christmas hope for pandemic times

By Hedwig Lewis

Mumbai: “Silent Night, Holy Night, All is calm, All is … NOT SO BRIGHT!” Perhaps this will be the strain of the uplifting song at Christmas. The Pandemic Ocean that has engulfed the entire globe and created a strange new atmosphere has compelled us to adopt a different rhythm in our lifestyles and social habits.

Millions of our brothers and sisters are swimming in distress, just as we are. The waves are still lashing at our doorsteps. And as we open our windows to welcome the Christmas Spirit, in blows a soothing breeze that has been hovering over the troubled waters. It stirs our hearts, and gently rings the ‘suspended’ bell of Hope. We awake, and open our eyes to see a new day, a new way.

‘Hope’ is the real reason for the season of Christmas. Light, Joy, Peace, Life … the words we traditionally use to announce he Incarnation of the Word in the world of humanity, are all counterparts of Hope. Hope is light in darkness, joy in desolation, happiness in sorrow, life in death. Hope provides us the power to ‘light up\ our lives and brighten the people and places around us.

We are locked in, but not imprisoned. Remember: “Two men looked out of prison bars; one saw mud, the other stars!” Hope gives wings to our minds and imagination. It opens up possibilities for creativity and service: for introspection and extraversion. It provides time for reflection, motivation for action.

Social-distancing norms are constraining, but tens of thousands of people have exemplified throughout these months of the pandemic, that if we have the will, we will find the way… and we will discover the skills, to contribute our share of ‘hope’, in the measure of our creativity and capacity

We open our Bibles to re-read the Nativity story. What happened then happens now, too! When the young couple, Joseph and Mary, arrive in Bethlehem after an exhausting journey, especially for a pregnant woman, they have nowhere to go for shelter and rest. They are refugees who have to fend for themselves, out in the cold.

It is so easy for us today to visualize the plight of the Holy Family from our TV screens. We are privileged with ringside seats to witness the battles for survival, of the fights against starvation, disease and death… on our streets and highways. Did you join your hands in prayer or raise a hand to salute to our ’pandemic heroes’ who had entered the fray to rescue the victims? Or did you do more that these symbolic gestures to prove that you really care… for your extended family that is worse off?… Or did you too, like the innkeeper at Bethlehem, leave them out in the cold because there was no room for them in your heart?

If we make time to listen intently to the ‘sounds of silence’ deep within us, we will hear the invisible spirits proclaiming the birth of Hope – the Saviour. We may abandon our comfort zones and step out to join hands with the “angels” – the “good shepherds and good Samaritans” – in bringing the “good news” of the birth of Hope to those in need of much cheering up.

It is heart-warming to read the stories posted on social media of ordinary people, moved by compassion, who plucked up courage to light a spark at great risk… but it proved to be worth it… For it kindled other sparks… And the fires are still burning fiercely to bring comfort and hope to the poor and suffering masses. We remember with appreciation and gratitude our COVID-19 Warriors, Frontline Workers, and Social Network personnel, who are braving all odds, risking their personal safety and working relentlessly to serve the people and help contain this life-threatening contagion.

We call them ‘heroes’ though they have never claimed the title for themselves. They consider themselves as honest and responsible citizens, who are convinced that humanity is our extended family, and if one suffers, we all do. Hope took hold of them and lead them along, shedding light on their path, energizing them with joy, and filling them with happiness as they put the smile back on the faces of those they served.

The ‘emergencies’ of the pandemic onslaught may be minimal but the urgency of aid to sustain the good work being done still prevails. There is an ever-growing demand for Good Shepherds and Good Samaritans. Do you hear the bells of Hope summoning you to action?

Jesus Christ is our Saviour. He ‘saves’ and heals us from spiritual and social apathy. He teaches that whatever we do to the least of our brothers and sisters is a divine act that makes us feel blessed by God. His message brings the assurance of Hope and its counterparts: Life, Joy, Peace, Light! He makes Christmas bright.

(Jesuit Father Hedwig Lewis is the author of “Christmas By Candlelight” and several other books. Website: