Dear Gabriel,

I love the mass at 10:30 in the Cathedral on Boxing Day. The sun streamed in through the East Windows, blinding me and giving atmosphere to the introit music. The Archbishop, in his Pastoral Lecture, told us that the best Christmas present we could give each other was Joy.

A lovely idea, but does he mean that believing in the Nativity gives us joy naturally or that we should independently dispense it. Or perhaps both, or perhaps one leads to the other. At that moment, I could believe and have joy, but would it last? I envy those of such faith that they do not need beautiful music, fine architecture or a powerful homily to have belief. This is the fate of so many of us.

Yours,
Thomas