In the Middle Ages, after a period of prolonged suffering from climate change, war and pandemic, thousands of Christians went on pilgrimage to Rome at Christmas time to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the hope He brings.
But not everyone could make the journey to Rome. So popes began the practice of granting jubilee indulgences both to those who made the trek and those who stayed home but engaged in some other designated penance and celebration.
So began the practice of the periodic ‘Holy’ Year, celebrated on the jubilee of the Lord’s birth, at first every century, then every half-century, and nowadays every twenty-five years.
The jubilee idea goes back to ancient Israel. Certain years were marked by forgiveness of debts, freeing of slaves, and resting the land. It signalled hope for new beginnings.
This Christmas Eve Pope Francis will open Jubilee 2025: a year of prayer and pilgrimage, forgiveness and fraternity, joy and hope.
Its theme is Pilgrims in Hope.
Just as choirs of angels broke through that most silent of nights by singing the joy of Christ’s birth; just as a star pierced through the darkest of night to proclaim that the Messiah had come; just as wise kings and gentle shepherds gathered in contrast to cruel and grasping ones, so in each generation the joy of jubilee breaks through the trials of the day.
We are given a new beginning and hope for more and better.
The celebration of Christ’s birth breaks through the challenges of climate, war and pandemic in our world too.
God became one of us to share in our humanity: not just the opportunities but the vulnerabilities, not just the joys but the sorrows. He took them all upon Himself.
This Christmas cast your troubles and those of our world upon Him and let Him give you peace, hope and joy in their place.
May God bless you and your loved ones this Christmas!
