Well, we all know that Christmas is a very joyous occasion for all of us in the Church. But let us remember that the next days are reminders for us to live out the joy of Christ's birth in our lives.
Tomorrow, we will celebrate the feast of St. Stephen the Protomartyr. Following the example of Jesus, let us humble ourselves and make ourselves willing to offer our lives at the service of what we believe.
On the twenty-seventh, we will celebrate the feast of St. John the Apostle/Theologian/Beloved. Just like John, we are loved by the Lord in a special way. We must lift up our eyes and contemplate on the mystery of God present before us: the Word who became flesh and lived among us.
The twenty-eighth is a double feastday for us Christians. On the table of liturgical precedence is the feast of the Holy Family. On the other hand, many also celebrate today the feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs. On this day, let us remember the dignity and sacrality of the family. The Holy Innocents were victims of the persecution of Herod, who sought for Jesus in order to slay him. Today, many children are victims not only of persecutions, but also of the greed of their own parents for personal benefit. Let us pray for them and for their parents, and let us not also forget to pray for our families.
On the first of January, we will celebrate the feast of the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God. It is fitting and proper to entrust the beginnings of our year to Mary. Far from our drunken reverie and intensive eat-outs, let us try to follow the example of Mary, who pondered the mysteries of her Son in her heart. As we ask the Lord for peace in our hearts, in our country and in the whole world, let us commit ourselves to be messengers and protectors of peace in our lives as Christians.
On these days of Christmas, let us offer to the newborn Jesus the gifts of an authentic Christian life: a life of witness, of contemplation, of sacrifice and of peace. Our Christmas should be a celebration of joy and happiness, but it should not distract us from our Christian commitment to justice, peace and charity.
Christmas is a mystery. It is not a celebration that is to be felt with our human senses. It is a feast that primarily speaks to the heart. God speaks to us today in our hearts; let us listen to Him!
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