VATICAN - The Pope’s reflection at the Angelus prayer: “May Mary help us to live Christmas as an opportunity to savour the joy of giving ourselves to others, the needy in particular”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - “The festivity of Christmas, perhaps the most loved by popular tradition, is rich in symbols connected with different cultures. The most important is certainly the Nativity Scene as I said last Sunday. Next to the Nativity Scene we find, as here in St Peter’s Square, the traditional Christmas Tree”. The Pope devoted his midday Angelus reflection on the fourth Sunday of Advent 19 December, to Christmas symbols, the Christmas tree in particular. An ancient custom “which underlines the value of life because in the Winter season the evergreen fir tree is a sign of life which does not die” the Pope said. Usually Christmas presents are put under the tree: “This makes the symbol eloquent in a typically Christian sense: it reminds us of the "tree of life" (cfr Gen 2,9), symbol of Christ, God’s supreme gift to humanity.”
“Therefore the message of the Christmas tree is that life becomes "evergreen" if it involves giving: not so much material things, but itself: in friendship, sincere affection, fraternal assistance and forgiveness, sharing time, reciprocal listening. May Mary help us to live Christmas as an opportunity to savour the joy of giving ourselves to others, the needy in particular”
After praying the Angelus with thousands of people gathered in St Peter’s Square the Pope said a few words to a group of children from Beslan (Ossezia), involved in the recent tragedy, invited by a community of Discalsed Carmelites to spend a Christmas holiday in Trent, northern Italy: “My dearest children may the love you receive from many friends help you to forget your terrible experience.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 20/12/2004 - Righe 19; Parole 265)