Vatican City, 19 December 2014 (VIS) –
This morning in the Clementine Hall the Pope received delegations
from the Italian provinces of Verona and Catanzaro, which provided
the Nativity scene with its terracotta figures and the Christmas tree
that are decorating St. Peter's Square during the festive season this
year, and which will be illuminated before the public this evening.
“Christian values have enriched the
culture, literature, music and art of your lands, and today such
values continue to constitute a valuable heritage to be preserved and
transmitted to future generations”, he said. “The Nativity and
the Christmas tree are evocative festive symbols very dear to our
Christian families: they recall the mystery of the Incarnation, the
only begotten Son of God, made flesh in order to save us, and the
light that Jesus has brought to the world through His birth. But the
creche and the tree touch the hearts of all, as they speak of
fraternity, intimacy and friendship, calling to people of our time to
rediscover the beauty of simplicity, sharing and solidarity. They are
an invitation to unity, harmony and peace; an invitation to make
room, in our personal and social life, for God, Who does not come
with arrogance, imposing His power, but instead offers His omnipotent
love through the fragile figure of a Child. The creche and the tree
therefore bring a message of light, hope, and love”.
“The Messiah made Himself man and
came among us, to dispel the shadows of error and sin, bringing His
divine light to humanity. Jesus Himself says of Himself: 'I am the
light of the world; whoever follows me will never walk in darkness
but will have the light of life'. Let us follow Him, the true light,
so as not to lose our way and in turn to reflect light and warmth on
those who go through moments of difficulty and inner darkness”.
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