MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!
Two versions of the Christmas story are found in the Gospels. One is Matthew’s account where a star shines in the night, followed by the magi until they reach the newly born baby in Bethlehem. In Luke’s story, an angel appears to shepherds in the field, announcing to them the birth of Jesus our Savior. In an instant, there is a multitude of the heavenly host joining the angel as they praise God by saying, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests".
The shepherds go in haste to Bethlehem. The Baby was lying in the manger.
The owner of the universe chooses to come to earth as a poor person and to be born in a manger.
When St. Francis of Assisi dramatized the Christmas story in his own time, he made use of live animals and positioned them around the crib.
By coming into this world, the Son of God broke down all barriers of estrangement and enmity which human pride and greed had been building for centuries among individuals and nations. His mission was to tell all peoples that God loves them and wants to fashion them into one family of nations under Him, who is the Father of all. All human beings have the same dignity and rights because we all are made in the image and likeness of God.
Wrong ideologies and the pursuit of selfish interests give origin to racism, slavery, elitism, and extreme nationalism causing oppression and bloodshed.
Christmas reveals to us that "God is Love" and teaches us that the fundamental law of human perfection is the commandment of Love.
"Love cannot wrong a neighbor; therefore the whole law is summed up in love" (Romans. 13, 10). The mutual love is the most powerful instrument of change, on the personal and social levels.
Thanks to God, an ever-growing number of people are becoming aware that mankind is just one, and that we should pool our resources to build a better world, rather than squander them in fighting and destroying one another.
God wants to unify all human beings around Jesus, into one family under Him, who is the Father of all.
Fr.Cipriano Bontacchio