Who does not like Christmas?

Fr. Livio Tonello, director

The Kalenda, a liturgical announcement solemnly sung during Christmas Eve Mass, refers to the Pax Augusta: “In the fortysecond year of the reign of Caesar Octavian Augustus, while peace reigned throughout the land...”. It was at this time that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, in the region of Judea. Evidence of this historical event can be found in Rome in the restored Ara Pacis, a commemorative altar whose whiteness and the fineness of its basreliefs fascinate.

After two thousand years, we are still unable to recreate the period marked by the coming of the Saviour. Wars and conflicts continue to plague the world. We only achieve some truces with great difficulty, the result of arduous negotiations such as the one in October between Israel and Hamas. But how many other battles rage, even in our own homes? I think of femicides, child abuse and knifing among young people.

If Christmas renews God’s love for the world, I suspect that then perhaps brotherhood, respect and peace are not very welcome. Arms industries, complacent governments and unscrupulous traffickers reap fabulous profits from armed conflicts. The fear that men have of losing power and control over their wives, partners or girlfriends generates unacceptable violence. The ease with which people react to disputes by brandishing knives and guns is alarming. Rejecting the gift of love and peace that Christmas offers leads me to say that people are afraid to believe in the effectiveness of peaceful human coexistence and respect for human dignity. The Son of God rejected all forms of violence even knowing that it would cause division and conflict. Those who reject his message and his example show that they are afraid of brotherhood, pacification and reconciliation.

Christmas comes to guide us back onto the path of humanisation, beginning with our homes and family relationships. The sign of a child still frightens today’s Herod. However, we believe that peace and brotherhood can still prevail on earth because they are gifts from God. Merry Christmas, and may we continue to cultivate the hope that has fed us throughout this Jubilee Year.