This is my first Christmas as an ordained priest, and I feel like I’m looking at the season a bit differently this year. I’m more tuned in to both the generosity—and the poverty—that are especially visible at Christmas.

First, the generosity. These words from Charles Dickens ring true for me:

I have always thought of Christmas time…as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.

Lately, as I’ve been busy with ministry in my neighbourhood, I’ve noticed how people in the community are opening their hearts freely—from the Salvation Army officers in our stores to the good work that the local churches are doing, including my parish. One thing the Parish of Seaforth is doing is shipping out care packages of food, toys and clothing in large quantities. This is part of a project to support  Mission to Seafarers, a ministry that offers hospitality to those men and women who work on ships and arrive in Halifax, often in need of help.

Inside my church, I’ve heard many sermons about hope, peace, joy, and love, and I see Advent candles being lit. Many people are smiling at the joy and the feeling they get from giving their time and money to those in need. I truly believe that this is something that Christians should strive for: a generosity that is heartfelt, that breaks down the walls of social status and economic wealth.

But what’s this poverty that we’re responding to at Christmas? Today people are poor in many ways. As an ordained minister, and personally as a Christian, I feel it’s my job and call to seek those in need. To make sure they are healthy in mind, body, and soul. Pastoral care—a nurturing of faith through word and sacrament—is something ministers offer to God’s people. Christ believed that such a minister was important. His social justice stance was that of the Beatitudes, from “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” to “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”

At Christmas time we often remember those who Christ calls blessed—the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, and those who are pure in heart. Unfortunately, these needs last beyond the Christmas season, and sometimes we forget about the blessed at other times of the year. People do not just go hungry at Christmas, people are not mournful just when the Christmas tree is lit. As someone who has a strong passion for social justice, and also as a clergyperson, I feel it is my obligation to encourage the gospel the whole year through, to inspire people to live the Christian teaching not just on holidays, but also on those bright summer days.

But as the nights grow darker and the snow falls, I’m aware that Christmas draws nearer. For me, the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ is something I look forward to. Christ comes as the light of the world and shines through in the darkest corners of our lives. All things are possible through Christ. He can even turn around our poor lives with the generosity of his grace. My prayer this Christmas is that the light shines brightly for those in the dark. My prayer is that Christians will shine and give of themselves this season, and that this would continue all the year through.