CHRISTMAS CALLS FOR MEDITATION AND PRAYER

VATICAN CITY, DEC 24, 2000 (VIS) - "The fourth Sunday of Advent, which this year falls precisely on Christmas Eve," said the Pope prior praying the angelus from the window of his private study, "calls us to meditation and prayer, that we may be prepared for the now imminent coming of the Lord."

He continued, saying that "external preparations, though necessary, must not distract attention from the central extraordinary event we are commemorating, the birth of Jesus, priceless gift of the Father to humanity."

John Paul II indicated that the nativity scene "in its simplicity, constitutes a silent invitation to understand the true value of the mystery of Christmas, a mystery of humility and of love, of joy and of concern for the poor." He concluded by requesting that during this period there be "a gesture of solidarity towards those who, alas, will live these days in solitude and suffering."

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