Learn more about the birth of the most important person in the world. Take advantage of this opportune moment to be able to connect in a very particular way with the upcoming holidays.
The word Christmas comes from the Latin "Nativitatem" which means "birth" and from the same root comes the word "Nativity" which means "birth". Thus, Nativity and Christmas are used to refer to the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, in Bethlehem, which means "place where bread is born".
The exact date of our Savior's birth was not known, no proper time could be assigned until the Roman tradition was adopted which was aligned with the "sol Invicti in the face of darkness" which is celebrated on December 25th. Our Lord enters earthly life, the birth of the Savior will mark a before and after in the development of the Holy Spirit.
"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage." Philippians 2:6
It is important to rethink the way we celebrate Christmas today. The arrival of Jesus has become out of keeping with the simple and discreet ceremony that took place in Bethlehem that night of miracles. Over time, Christmas has evolved into a celebration that has become tinged with bargains and shopping obligations, completely misrepresenting the importance of Jesus' arrival on Earth.
In most families, Christmas is celebrated with abundant meals and the exchange of ephemeral and meaningless gifts. It would be interesting to reflect on the true motives that unite us to the Lord and lead us on his way of salvation. Christmas is an opportunity to remember and live the values that Jesus taught us: love, compassion, generosity and solidarity.
Instead of focusing on rampant consumerism, we could spend more time in reflection, prayer and service to others. We can share quality moments with our loved ones, express our love and gratitude to them and, above all, remember the true meaning of Christmas: the birth of Jesus, who came into the world to bring hope and salvation.
"Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:7-8
The arrival of Christmas invites us to contemplate the opportunity to reconnect with Jesus in prayer and inner reflection. It is a time to attune our hearts to the message of love, understanding and forgiveness that He bequeathed to us, and thus, to seek ways to manifest that teaching in our daily lives, especially in the family setting.
In the diversity of family gatherings during this season, it is common for differences, conflicting opinions and varied approaches to life to emerge. However, the essence of Christmas offers us an opportunity to embrace and accept these differences with love and understanding. Instead of being a source of discord, these disagreements can become points of enrichment, where we learn to understand and respect each other's perspectives.
Prayer becomes our spiritual refuge to nurture understanding, forgiveness and harmony in our homes. Through prayer, we connect with the divine light of Jesus, which enlightens us to face family tensions with serenity, wisdom and unconditional love.
"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ´Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.´" Luke 2:13-14
Christmas is a propitious time to share the peace and compassion that Jesus taught us, regardless of our differences. It is a call to practice understanding, patience and humility, remembering that each family member is unique and special in God's eyes.
During this festive season, let us strengthen our bond with Jesus through prayer, asking Him for guidance and strength to accept and celebrate the differences that make us unique as a family. Let love and divine grace inspire us to build bridges of understanding and mutual respect, thus turning our differences into bonds of unity and enrichment. May this Christmas season be an opportunity to renew our commitment to prayer and the loving presence of Jesus in our lives and families.
Let us learn to value and celebrate the diversity of thoughts and opinions in an atmosphere of love and peace, in tune with the spirit of Christmas and Jesus' teaching on acceptance, forgiveness and brotherly love.