Vatican City (Fides Service) – “Christmas is almost here. As the last touches are given to Nativity Scenes and Christmas Trees, of which we have examples here in St Peter’s Square, we must prepare our hearts to live intensely this great mystery of faith,” Pope John Paul II said to visitors in St Peter’s Square whom he addressed from his window on Sunday 21 before reciting the Angelus prayer with them and imparting his Blessing.
“In the closing days of Advent the Liturgy places special emphasis on the figure of Mary” the Pope said. “If we wish to grasp the authentic meaning of Christmas it is to her that we must turn. May Mary, Mother of Mothers, help us to understand the key words of the mystery of the birth of her divine son: humility, silence, wonder, joy. She urges us first of all to have humility, so that God may find a place in our heart not darkened by pride and arrogance. She indicates the value of silence which is able to hear the singing of the Angels and the cry of the Babe and does not let them drown in noise and confusion. With Mary we will stand before the Nativity Scene with profound wonder, revelling in the joy, simple and pure, which the Child brings to humanity ”.
See Pope’s address December 21, 2003
http://www.evangelizatio.org/portale/adgentes/pontefici/pontefice.php?id=27
(S.L.) (Fides Service 22/12/2003 – lines 13; words 190)