In Colombo, carols for the 'true meaning' of Christmas, against materialism

Carols are a reminder of the incarnation of Jesus. Choirs asked the audience to reflect, not applaud. "People rush through shopping. We rely on worldly things as we prepare for Christmas". Advent instead invites us "to straighten our crooked paths."

Colombo (AsiaNews) – "This beautiful evening brought us together and reminded us what Christmas is about," said the head prefect at the Holy Family Convent in Bambalapitiya (Colombo) as she introduced the annual Christmas carols concert.

The songs are a reminder of the incarnation of Jesus, far from today’s worldly and materialistic celebration of Christmas.

The annual Christmas carol ceremony was held four days ago in the school auditorium, with the participation of parents and guests.

The convent’s senior and primary choirs together with the guest choir Resonance presented ‘And all the Angels in Heaven Shall Sing’, mainly in English, with a hymn in Sinhala, accompanied by an orchestra and a ballet.

About 50 students sang and danced, and asked those present not to applaud but to reflect in order to respect the true meaning of Christmas.

The main guest, Fr Fernando Andryas, rector of the Juniorate of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) in Sri Lanka, delivered the Christmas message. In it, he warned those present against the prevailing materialistic version of the festivity.

"People rush through shopping. We rely on worldly things as we prepare for Christmas," Fr Andryas said. Advent instead invites us "to straighten our crooked paths."

"I am not only blaming ordinary people, but as priests and religious, we also rely on other things. We think we have prepared the way for the Lord, but I believe we are not yet ready to receive him."

Arguing that Christians should try to live a meaningful Christmas, Fr. Andryas called on believers to ask for forgiveness for their "acts of selfishness" and "indifference towards poverty and injustices that condemn your (the Lord’s) helpless children."

"An ancient Arabic carol says that, on Christmas Eve, hatred will vanish. On the eve of Christmas, the earth will flourish. On Christmas Eve, war will be gone. On Christmas Eve, love will be born. May this Christmas bring that love to your hearts and your families," Fr Andryas said.

At the end of the carols, money was collected for the needy.

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