Advent is the time to prepare for Christmas. Pope Francis has given a few tips to make this season more special.
ASKING FOR FAITH
The first of them goes straight to the root. He suggests preparing for Christmas with faith.
POPE FRANCIS
December 10, 2018
“It is true that Christmas, as we all know, is also celebrated in a worldly or pagan way, but the Lord asks us to celebrate it with faith. I believe, Lord, but help my little faith. Defend my faith from 'worldliness,' from superstition.”
LIVING ADVENT WITH INTENSITY
Pope Francis also noted that the ongoing pandemic shouldn't be used as an excuse to not prepare for Christmas. Instead, he suggests living out Advent with intensity during such an extraordinary moment.
POPE FRANCIS
November 30, 2020
“Let us try to bring out the good even from the difficult situation that the pandemic imposes upon us: greater sobriety, discreet and respectful attention to others who may be in need, some prayer also within the family, with simplicity. These three things will help us greatly.”
PERSONAL CONVERSION
On the path of preparation for Christmas, Pope Francis has also emphasized the need for personal conversion.
POPE FRANCIS
December 10, 2018
“We must overcome much harshness caused by pride and arrogance. How many people, perhaps not realizing it, are arrogant, are rough, do not have cordial relationships with others. This must be overcome by carrying out concrete gestures of reconciliation with our brothers, and requesting forgiveness for our faults.”
WORKS
The pope also underscored the importance of demonstrating with actions what is preached during the Advent season
POPE FRANCIS
“Speaking is a way of believing, but it's very superficial, it's a halfway journey. I say that I am a Christian, but I don’t act like a Christian. To put it simply, it’s a little bit like dressing up as a Christian: only saying the words is a kind of deception; speaking without doing.”
Faith, intensity, conversion and good works are four essential elements to cultivate the path to Christmas with joy and hope, even if this year's circumstances are drastically different from previous years
Daniel Díaz Vizzi
Translation: CT
