Michael is the Manager of Habitat ReStore Newry, working alongside fellow staff and volunteers to build sustainable communities here in Ireland, impacting local people and the planet. Read his Advent reflection below.
This Christmas time of Nativity – the birth of Jesus, is a time of welcome, of celebration and of sharing. I am reminded of the sharing and contribution of Habitat for Humanity volunteers and the fantastic impacts they have. Their work in the Habitat Restores, for example, makes so much difference and I see the efforts day and daily. Habitat co-ordinates the work of many to help address the crushing issue of shelter poverty. Millions of people have been helped as Habitat continues to build homes across the globe. We live in a world of comfort and homelessness, joy and sadness, health and pestilence, security and danger. Perhaps things haven’t changed that much across the millennia.
Jesus did not come into this world oblivious to its contradictions and perils, but rather to redeem us and to walk with us step in step, hand in hand. “Come unto me all of you who are heavy laden” is but a small part of his saving message. Many do not hear this saving message, given the clamour of media noise from day to day. The noise can be deafening; but not defeating.
Lord, in this season of Advent please open our ears that we may hear your voice and become aware of your presence, open our eyes that we may walk in your way safely and touch our hearts that we may support as many as we can, on our journey.
