Pope: Christmas tree and the nativity scene help us to contemplate the mystery of the birth of Jesus
They are "fascinating symbols of Christmas, they can bring a reflection of the light and tenderness of God, to families and places of encounter, to help everyone to experience the feast of the birth of Jesus. Contemplating the Child God who radiates light in the humility of the nativity scene , we can also become witnesses of humility, tenderness and goodness ".
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The Christmas tree and the nativity scene are two signs that "tell us about Christmas and help us to contemplate the mystery of God made man to be close to each of us". The mystery of Christmas was evoked today by Pope Francis in the meeting he had with delegations from Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto for the gift of the Christmas tree and the nativity scene set up in St. Peter's Square.
"The Christmas tree and the nativity scene - said Francis - are two signs that never cease to fascinate us; they tell us about Christmas and help us to contemplate the mystery of God made man to be close to each one of us. The Christmas tree with its lights reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world, it is the light of the soul that drives away the darkness of enmities and makes room for forgiveness ". The fir, then, "with its height of over twenty meters, symbolizes God who with the birth of his Son Jesus has lowered himself up to man to raise him to Himself and raise him from the fogs of selfishness and sin. The Son of God assumes the human condition to draw it to himself and help ho, participate in His divine and incorruptible nature ".
"The nativity scene, located in the center of the Piazza, is made with jesolana sand, (pictured) from the Dolomites. The sand, a poor material, recalls the simplicity, the smallness and also the fragility with which God revealed Himself with the birth of Jesus in the precariousness of Bethlehem. It may seem that this smallness contradicts divinity, so much so that someone from the beginning considered it only an appearance, a lining. But no, because smallness is freedom. Those who are small - in the evangelical sense - are not only light, but also free from any desire to appear and any claim to success; like children who express themselves and move spontaneously. All of us are called to be free before God, to have the freedom of a child before his father. The Child Jesus, Son of God and our Savior, who we place in the manger, is Holy in poverty, smallness, simplicity, humility ".
"The Christmas tree and the nativity scene, fascinating symbols of Christmas, can bring fascinating symbols of Christmas, they can bring a reflection of the light and tenderness of God, to families and places of encounter, to help everyone to experience the feast of the birth of Jesus. Contemplating the Child God who radiates light in the humility of the nativity scene , we can also become witnesses of humility, tenderness and goodness".
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14/12/2019 15:30
