As Christmas time rolls around, it is usually a time to celebrate Christ’s birth. But for Prep’s very own Fr. Moodie it is not just celebration, but also a time for reflection, community, and service. Fr. Moodie share, “Christmas, for me, is a time of joy and family. It is a celebration of the birth of Jesus, a reminder of God’s great love for us.”
While the holiday is universally joyful, for Jesuits; it is also a time to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the deeper spiritual meaning of this season, especially since many Jesuits are on break during this time.
A central theme of Christmas for Fr. Moodie is community. “There’s a certain sense of fraternity that deepens the meaning of Christmas,” he recalls, remembering a holiday spent with fellow Jesuits in a cabin in Missoula, Montana. For Jesuits, Christmas is more than personal celebration. It is about coming together in faith to reflect on Christ’s birth.
Christmas also invites moments of quite reflection. “During Christmas, I experience God’s presence through the peaceful moments that allow me to reflect on the mystery of the incarnation,” Fr. Moodie explains. These times of solitude help deepen his connections with the profound love of God revealed in the birth of Jesus.
Service is another key aspect of Jesuit Christmas. “Jesuits serve during Christmas through a variety of ministries, often focusing on the poor and marginalized,” Fr. Moodie says. Whether organizing meals or offering pastoral care, Jesuits use the season to share the joy of Christ’s birth with those who need it most.
Fr. Moodie’s favorite Christmas tradition reflects the season’s joy. “One of my favorite carols is ‘Gaudete,” he speaks. He appreciates the uplifting Latin hymns. He also cherishes shared meals with fellow Jesuits, focusing on community and spiritual connection over festive indulgence.
When asked to sum up the Jesuit spirit of Christmas in one word, Fr. Moodie picks “joy”. For him, Christmas is about experiencing joy, reflection, community, and service. “We celebrate the birth of Christ, and as Jesuits, we experience joy in the community we share and in our service to others.”
Ultimately, Christmas for Fr. Moodie is a time of peace and purpose. It is a season that calls Jesuits to embrace both the joy of Christ’s birth and their mission to serve the world with love and compassion.
