Christmas 2022

When I look around the world, I wonder how Christmas 2022 will be celebrated in the different countries and cultures. Will it be possible to celebrate in some places given the difficulties of famine, climate, sickness, and war? At Christmas we celebrate more than the possibility of holidays, travel, meals with family and friends, and gift giving. As Christians we celebrate the birth of Christ, and we believe that whatever is happening, Christ is present in a multitude of ways.

In the Spiritual Exercises [110-117] we are invited to contemplate the Nativity. We ask for the grace to know Jesus intimately, to be able to love him more intensely and to follow him more closely. We are asked to be present fully to the persons and place of this mystery. To be able to enter the deep-down stillness of this night, to be able to see this very human baby with all the wonder which our faith musters, to watch how Mary and Joseph handle their circumstances of poverty and the uncomfortable dwelling place.

This Christmas many children will be born into poverty and difficult circumstances. Christ is there, humble, and poor. We pray that the peace the Christ child brings, may touch the lives of those who suffer most. Let it be our desire that everywhere, to everyone, we daily promote peace and good will to all.

Ian Cribb SJ

Jesuit and Ignatian Spirituality Australia

Christmas - New Year Closing/Opening Days

Christmas Blessings to you and your loved ones from all of us at Jesuit and Ignatian Spirituality Australia.

The JISA National Office will be closed from Friday 23 December 2022 and reopen on Wednesday 4 January 2023. This includes the 1300 392 636 number and info@jisa.org.au email address. We will respond to enquiries from Wednesday 4 January 2023.

The Peter Canisius House residential centre in Pymble, NSW will be closed from Friday 23 December 2022 and reopen on Monday 9 January 2023. The JISA Sevenhill residential centre in South Australia will be closed on Friday 16 December 2022 and reopen on Monday 16 January 2023.

JISA Faber in Bardon, QLD and JISA Campion in Kew, VIC will reopen on Tuesday 17 January 2023 – with staff contactable from Wednesday 4 January via phone 1300 392 636 and email info@jisa.org.au

JRS Australia works to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of forcibly displaced people. Each year we serve over 3,000 refugees and people seeking asylum through specialist casework and other critical support.

You can walk with refugees and people seeking asylum by donating to the JRS Australia Christmas Appeal. 

To help restore hope to those displaced by violence in Myanmar and around the world, donate to Jesuit Mission’s Gifts for Change Program, browse the online shop at or call 02 8918 4109 and choose to receive an instant e-card or postal card to share with your loved one.