Back when the world was much younger, but still quite a while after the Bible began, our ancestors celebrated Christmas – the Birth of Jesus – each year, when the darkness of winter stopped - and the light began to come back.

That glorious bit of history told through the centuries that their neighbors in Nazareth town told Joseph that they, the neighbors, distant cousins really, could register in Bethlehem for him and Mary, as they had to go to register themselves anyway. A tiny gift to the officials there would be sufficient. It was a kind-hearted gesture.  That Joseph would not need fret and worry of  having  pregnant Mary make that several-days difficult journey to Bethlehem.

Joseph and Mary talked. Maybe it was a good idea. Maybe they didn’t have to travel after all. Pregnant Mary said to Joseph, "We both have to go ourselves, I believe and know from all the old stories and legends passed on through the centuries - prophecies really.  I know and am convinced in my heart of hearts that the Messiah, my baby, must be born in Bethlehem. The angel did not tell us where the Child is to be born, but I believe and know we must make the trip. That is the right thing to do.  No matter how difficult."

Thus Joseph with Pregnant Mary and the neighbors all traveled together - for safety sake - traveled by mule, by foot, by camel, south from Nazareth to Bethlehem town. A day’s walk outside of Jerusalem. And of course, they believed that their special Angels hid them from sight  along the five day journey - kept them invisible  from  robbers and brigands.

In the old language: " Thus it came to pass”  - Jesus was born in Bethlehem in a cove stable – offered  to Mary and Joseph in desperation by an apologetic kindly inn keeper and his wife. His wife had told him sternly “How can we possibly turn away a Pregnant woman.” Old Belief is that there was truly no room available, and this was the best they could do. But that the inn keeper’s wife and her friends, plus the women coming with them from Nazareth  tried to help Mary best as they could. Helping as women do, with the birth of a child.

Years later, Joseph and Mary re-told of those days: We didn’t know before hand.  How could we know?  But we were met by Angels singing in High Heavens, Shepherds, their wives and children. And three Wise Men, learned men whose advise was sought by the great of this world.  They had traveled far, several months from the East to worship our new born Child.  Offered gifts of Frankincense, Gold and Myrrh to Baby Jesus.

The Wise Men said they had long followed this unique Star,  brighter than all the rest. A Star that the Sacred Books say: somehow "came down" to  light up the cove stable where Jesus was born - to point the way for the Shepherds and later the Magi.

And the women brought food for Mary and Joseph, and clothing for her Infant Baby Jesus against the cold.  The Shepherd children wanted to touch Mary’s new born Baby… and Mary let them… but ever so carefully. An old shepherd man, respected in those parts for his sage wisdom told them, “Keep the gold and the gifts of the Wise Men safely.  There will be a time soon when you will need them – a time when you have nothing else. “

As Pregnant Mary said to Joseph, “we must go ourselves, no one can go in our place.” And the women cooking and sharing their food, helping to look after Mary and her new born child; and the men standing by, watching, protecting; the children playing;  the Magi bring life-saving gifts. And again, thus it is, and thus it must be with each of us.

Later on, much more happened, but that’s for another day.

So it’s Christmas. “From theological mists, true then, true now becoming present reality.” We all, somehow, in our lives, do walk to Bethlehem and we “meet on the street corners of the world.”

Merry Christmas. 

fr. joe maier 

December 13, 2011 - For the third consecutive year, HRH Princess Srirasmi visited our Mercy Centre to celebrate her birthday with our Mercy children. From the moment she arrived, her joy for our children filled our Mercy Centre and the world around us.

Our children renewed their vows to the Princess, promising to work hard in their school studies, to be honest and polite with everyone they meet, and to respect and protect their family and loved ones. Following their vows, our children performed in song and dance to the Mercy Thai Classical Orchestra, comprised entirely of our Mercy kids,

HRH Princess Srirasmi had special moments with our blind girls, Nong Peh and Nong Fon, showing us that our most disabled Mercy children are also the most loved.

Photos: Above: Her Royal Highness with our disabled blind children, Nong Peh and Nong Fon. Below: Our children recite their promises to HRH Princess Srirasmi.

Last week our Mercy girls shined in a concert held at the New International School of Bangkok that showcased their skills and passions in the performing arts – in songs, folk dances, piano recitals, and popular show tunes.

Like proud parents everywhere, we are probably not the best judges of our own children, but in this case we are quite confident in our opinion: our girls gave a first-rate professional and entertaining performance. The audience of NIST students, teachers, family and friends thought so, too.  Each Mercy child was a star: Nancy, Tammy, Toi, Niew, Kat, Kook Gai, Phen, Gwan, Ann, and many of our younger Mercy children, too! (Photo by Alexandra Ashley. More photos at gallery here.)

by Fr. Joe Maier, C.Ss.R.

She's never been in a shopping mall, never owned a pair of shoes. She never found them necessary – even when working construction, flip-flops were fine. Granny Pot mentioned once that her own mother who worked as hired help in the rice fields before taking construction jobs in Bangkok never had shoes either. Granny said she'd look funny wearing them. Feet were important, not shoes.

So when her three granddaughters told Granny this year that all first, third and fourth graders must wear shoes to school, the old woman was mystified. The whole business of mastering left foot, right foot alone! She threw up her hands.

But dear goodness, Granny's daughter Ms Oey is another story! She loves shoes – even owns a bright red pair. Granny called her utterly shameless when she saw those. And Ms Oey said, "Mama, I might not be a good girl, but I ain't shameless!"

Ms Oey is Granny's youngest. Her elder sister comes once a year to visit, always bringing Granny a new pair of flip-flops and a bag of that expensive sweet-smelling rice.