“Looking at the shop windows, noticing the prominent figure of Santa Claus, my thoughts go further, in search of the nativity scene. As a child, I learned that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, our Lord, who bequeathed us the immortal message of love for others. To meditate on his words is to open the floodgates of our soul to the nurturing and practice of noble feelings, such as fraternity, compassion, forgiveness and reconciliation with our enemies.”
Lucia Moysés
Christmas in our hearts*
by Lucia Moyses
The streets and shop windows decorated with a profusion of colors and lights herald the arrival of another Christmas. For many, it is synonymous with happiness, togetherness, love, and gifts. Families gathered together, the hearts of many generations intertwined, children brightening up the house with laughter and games, under the loving gaze of their elders who, upon seeing them, may relive scenes from many years ago.
In my mind, these images, full of light and color as they are, are often mixed with others, dull and colorless: the Christmas of the elderly who no longer have the company of their relatives; that of lonely people, those who feel isolated, without the presence of their loved ones. I can only imagine the pain caused by loneliness, especially at a time like Christmas, which should be a time of togetherness. I believe that the happy memories that many people carry in their minds must overwhelm the heart even more at these times.
Looking at the shop windows, noticing the prominent figure of Santa Claus, my thoughts go further, in search of the nativity scene. As a child, I learned that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, our Lord, who bequeathed us the immortal message of love for others. To meditate on his words is to open the floodgates of our soul to the nurturing and practice of noble feelings, such as fraternity, compassion, forgiveness and reconciliation with our enemies.
For countless people, giving gifts to those closest to them, gathering friends and family around a bountiful table and socializing with their peers are ways of expressing regard and affection. However, the meaning of Christmas with Jesus is much deeper. Beyond a date on the calendar, it should be an invitation to reflect, to make decisions that bring back serenity and certain lost enchantments. How many homes are home to siblings who don’t speak to each other; how many parents have seen their children cut fraternal ties, distancing themselves from the domestic clan. In many cases, once the moment of disagreement has passed, the passage of time itself takes care of blurring bitter feelings and memories, leaving the spirit open to reconciliation. Wounded pride and embarrassment can be overcome when they meet friendly people who, by putting the Gospel message into practice, create situations that favor the reconnection of those who are estranged. Looking around us, encountering situations like these, let us be those messengers of peace.
But our actions inspired by the birth of Our Lord can also turn to the elderly and lonely. Those who have lived through days of full houses, lit up by the sparkle in children’s eyes and where the sounds of music were mixed with conversations, laughter and children’s fuss, may find themselves lost in memories, feeling their chests tighten with nostalgia for a time gone by.
Others, for various reasons, have arrived alone at that stage of life where vigor no longer exists, loves have left for other planes, and silence has taken up residence.
Situations similar to these often exist very close to us. Wouldn’t it be time, looking to the lessons bequeathed to us by our Heavenly Friend, to bring our affection, attention and care to those who are alone, through simple actions that could brighten their days? We can think of something like a visit, a phone call. Or an invitation to be with us when we get together with the family, for the Christmas party. I’m sure there are some of them who would like to take part in an event at the religious congregation they used to attend when they were younger, or go to places where the end-of-year decorations are an attraction. We can offer to take them. Another option is to visit old people’s homes or hospitals, offering company and affection. Today, with the technological resources available to us, perhaps a good idea is to create video calls connecting people who are alone with their loved ones who are far away.
It’s important to remember that small loving gestures can have a significant impact on the life of someone who feels alone, as the Spirit Brother X says in the work Antologia Mediúnica do Natal, according to the psychography of dear Chico Xavier:
“It doesn’t matter if you’re tender and generous to your neighbor for the time being, only one day… Little by little, you will learn that the spirit of Christmas must reign with us at all times of our lives. Then you’ll be everyone’s selfless and faithful brother, because every morning you’ll hear a subtle voice from heaven whispering to you: – Jesus is born, Jesus is born!… And the Master of Love will truly have been born in your heart to live with you forever.”
Let us all have a peaceful Christmas.
