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Pope Francis said Wednesday that Christmas brings joy and strength that can remove the pessimism that has spread in human hearts as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Christmas is the feast of love incarnate and born for us in Jesus Christ. He is the light of humanity that shines in the dark, giving meaning to human existence and all of history, ”Pope Francis said on December 23.
“Christmas invites us to reflect, on the one hand, on the drama of history, in which men and women, wounded by sin, ceaselessly seek the truth, seek mercy and seek redemption; and, on the other hand, of the goodness of God, who has come to us to communicate the truth that saves and to make us share in his friendship and his life, ”said the Pope.
Speaking via live broadcast from the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Pope said he wanted to “offer some reflection” as the world prepares for the Christmas celebration.
Pope Francis invited people to spend some time in silence, contemplating the birth of Christ, in front of a nativity scene. He added that his apostolic letter on nativity scenes can help in this act of reflection.
“If the pandemic has forced us to be more distant, Jesus, in the manger, shows us the path of tenderness to be close to each other, to be human,” he said.
He said that the reality of the incarnation of Christ, who became one of us, can “give us great joy and courage.”
“This gift of grace that we receive through the simplicity and humanity of Christmas, can remove from our hearts and minds the pessimism, which has spread even more today due to the pandemic,” he said.
“We can overcome that feeling of disturbing bewilderment, not allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by defeats and failures, in the rediscovered awareness that this humble and poor Child, hidden and defenseless, is God himself, made man for us”
As Italy is set to enter its second national lockdown this year on December 24, the Vatican has announced that the Pope’s traditional public greeting and prayers for the Christmas season will only be offered via live broadcast.
Pope Francis will give his “Urbi et Orbi” blessing on Christmas Day from inside the Apostolic Palace. Also, his scheduled Angelus speeches will only be offered via live broadcast from inside the palace library until January 6.
In his general audience on Wednesday via livestream, the Pope reiterated his message last Sunday that the focus of Christmas should not be consumerism.
“Christmas should not be reduced to a sentimental or consumer party, full of gifts and good wishes but poor in Christian faith,” he said.
“For this reason, it is necessary to curb a certain worldly mentality, incapable of grasping the incandescent core of our faith, which is this: ‘And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son of the Father.
Pope Francis said that the world right now needs tenderness. He added that cuteness is a defining characteristic of humanity, noting that robots and artificial intelligence cannot express human cuteness.
He said that tenderness can be reborn in us as we contemplate the birth of Christ and the “wonderful way in which God wanted to come into the world.”
“Let us ask for the grace of amazement at this mystery, this reality so tender, so beautiful, so close to our hearts, may the Lord give us the grace of astonishment, to meet Him, to draw near to Him, to draw close to all of us”, said Pope Francis.
