Christmas Began in July

Dear Reader,

Every issue of The Southern Cross is exciting to produce, but the December edition, with its focus on Advent and Christmas, is always my favourite. Planning begins early. Believe it or not, I wrote my annual history of a Christmas carol, which you will find on page 33, back in July! My family must have thought it very odd when they heard me humming “The First Noel” in the middle of the year!

We hope the seasonal articles in this issue will serve as good companions on your journey through Advent and Christmas. And speaking of companions: this year, let us remember in a special way those who are lonely or alone at Christmas, and those who are facing their first festive season without a loved one. If you have an extra seat at the table, consider whether a friend, neighbour, relative or fellow parishioner might appreciate an invitation to share in the joy of a Christmas celebration.

For those facing a solitary Christmas, joy can be found in giving. Volunteering at Christmas parties in children’s or retirement homes, or lending a hand at a soup kitchen for the poor and homeless, can bring light to others — and may even inspire ongoing service throughout the year. Many parishes offer opportunities for such outreach.

New vision of justice

Christmas is also a lonely time for those spending it as “guests of the government”. On page 16, to mark the Jubilee of Prisons on December 14, the chair of a prison ministry proposes a new way of looking at crime and justice — one rooted in the values of the Gospel (also see page 7). Nathanael Siljeur’s article might challenge us. After all, we are all sick of crime and maybe instinctively inclined to “throw away the key”.

Yet our justice system, with its reliance on incarceration rather than correction, has not reduced crime; in fact, it may contribute to it. A new approach is needed, and Nathanael’s proposed model merits consideration.

The Council

Some years ago, I attended a meeting of Catholic media workers. Over lunch, one young man remarked that while he finds Church talk interesting, he switches off as soon as he hears the term “Vatican II”. At the time, I was surprised. But in reflecting on it, I’ve come to see that his lack of interest may reflect the Church’s failure to explain the Second Vatican Council in terms that are accessible to the average Catholic. In general, Church documents might be turning people off simply by their inaccessible Latin titles.

As we mark the 60th anniversary of the Council’s closing on December 8, 1965, we offer a primer that may provide a helpful introduction and a springboard to further exploration in print, podcast or video. The Vatican II: Inside the Council documentary series on YouTube is a great place to start (watch it at https://t.ly/kgV1l).

Art and artists

Our Christmas cover depicts a Nativity scene painted in 1609 by the Italian master Caravaggio. On page 8 we reflect on this work and its creator. Caravaggio’s life was hardly edifying, and he is a good example of how sometimes we have to separate the art from the artist. Where that line is drawn is, of course, a matter of individual judgment.

One artist who needs no such separation is the Dutch Master Johannes Vermeer, who died 350 years ago this month. We look at the painter’s life and Catholic faith on page 9.

Thank you for reading The Southern Cross. May your Christmas be filled with joy, peace and love, and may your Year 2026 bring abundant blessings, graces and good health — and much more good faith-based reading!

God bless,
Günther Simmermacher
(Editor)