Angus has supported Habitat for Humanity faithfully for many years; as a local and global volunteer and most recently as Chair of the Habitat Board. Read his Advent reflection below.
Advent is a season of waiting, a time to remember how God’s light entered the world through the most unexpected circumstances. As Bruce Cockburn sings in ‘Cry Of A Tiny Babe’:
“It isn’t to the palace that the Christ child comes, but to shepherds and street people, hookers and bums, and the message is clear if you have ears to hear, that forgiveness is given for your guilt and your fear. It’s a Christmas gift that you don’t have to buy, there’s a future shining in a baby’s eyes”
This song reminds us that the story of Jesus’ birth is not one of pomp or privilege, but of humility and inclusion. The child born in a manger brought hope to the marginalised, echoing God’s love for all, especially the most vulnerable.
At Habitat for Humanity Ireland, we strive to live out this message. In the spirit of Advent, we work to create homes that are more than bricks and mortar. They are places of refuge and renewal where dignity is restored, and futures are rebuilt. Whether in Ireland or across the globe, our work echoes the call to bring justice, compassion, and tangible hope to those in need.
The stable in Bethlehem was a humble place, yet it changed the course of history. Likewise, each Habitat home reminds us that small acts of love can transform lives. In building safe spaces for families, we become part of God’s great story—one of light breaking through darkness, of forgiveness and grace made real.
Dear Lord, as we reflect on the miracle of Christ’s birth, let us also hear the call to action: to bring hope, like that tiny babe, to places where it is most needed.
