A Christmas Message from the Dean of Waterford
Reverend Bruce Hayes, Dean of Waterford
I don’t think there is much of a chance of a white Christmas this year in Waterford.
I remember though in 2010 when I was Rector of Skibbereen, a cold front hit the country and brought with it quite a bit of wintry weather.
That year I remember walking to church through the snow, and as I slowly progressed, being careful not to slip, I noticed the tracks of other people who had walked the same way as me, some probably on their way to church, others who had been out for a stroll in the night.
That Christmas I was conscious that I was walking in the tracks of those who had gone before me.
I suppose the same is true of our lives. In many respects we walk in the steps of those who have gone before. Our lives are connected with many people; our parents, grandparents, great grandparents, teachers, colleagues and friends - they have each in their own way left something of an imprint on our lives.
At this time of year, I am more conscious of the presence of those who I no longer see in this world, whose tracks I walk in.
As I walk into the Cathedral on Christmas Day, I will walk in the footsteps of those who have gone before me, but I will also think back around 2,000 years to the shepherds who walked from the hills to see the Christ Child, to the magi from the East who followed a star to find the same child, and I will think of the footsteps of many who have sought to draw near over centuries and understand something of the true meaning of Christmas.
Traces of all those who have gone before in faith and left their footsteps for us to follow.
I will wonder too, for a few quiet moments, of the path I will leave behind, as I travel through this world. The people who have yet to be encountered, the friendships that might be made, the sacred that might be glimpsed.
I wish you a Happy and a Peaceful Christmas, and encourage you to do whatever you can to make the world a happy and peaceful place, from whatever path you are on shine the light of hope into the darkness.
