In a heartfelt message during his last General Audience before Christmas, Pope Francis highlighted the true spirit of Christmas, urging believers to rediscover joy and simplicity amidst the season’s commercial hustle. Drawing inspiration from the first Nativity scene set up by St. Francis of Assisi 800 years ago, the Pope shared a powerful reminder of Christmas’s humble origins.
Pope Francis underscored the importance of the Nativity scene, not as a mere artistic display, but as a source of profound spiritual reflection. “The Nativity scene was created to bring us back to what truly matters: to God Who comes to dwell among us,” he explained. This simple yet profound setting serves as a reminder of God’s closeness and the humility of Jesus’s birth in a Bethlehem grotto!
The Pope identified two key aspects of the Nativity: “soberness and joy.” These contrast sharply with the commercialized nature of modern Christmas celebrations. He lamented that the true meaning of Christmas is often lost in consumerism, urging believers to focus on “the closeness of Jesus, the tenderness of God, Who does not leave us alone.”
Pope Francis also touched on the social dimension of the Nativity, emphasizing the prioritization of “people before things.” He pointed out how today’s world often reverses this order, losing sight of what truly counts.
The Pope’s message extended beyond mere contemplation, as he invited everyone to actively engage with the Nativity scene. “Let us touch God’s closeness in the Christmas crib and receive His joy,” he encouraged.
Pope Francis’s words serve as a timely reminder of the true essence of Christmas: a celebration of God’s love, simplicity, and the joy that comes from spiritual closeness, rather than material abundance.
Let’s pray to experience Christmas in a more meaningful, joyous, and spiritually fulfilling way!
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Photo credit: A and D Photography / Shutterstock.com
