Pope Highlights True Meaning of Christmas

Liturgy Assures Us That "God Is Coming"

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 3, 2006 (Zenit.org).- On the first Sunday of Advent, Benedict XVI reminded the faithful that Christmas is about God who "comes to be with us."

The Holy Father's comment was heard by thousands who had gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray the Angelus. He highlighted the significance of Advent as a time to prepare for the celebration of Christ's birth.

"In Advent, the liturgy often repeats and assures us, as though seeking to defeat our mistrust, that God 'is coming,'" the Pope said.

"He comes to be with us, in each one of our situations; he comes to live among us, to live in and with us; he comes to fill the distances that divide and separate us; he comes to reconcile us with himself and with one another," the Pontiff said.

God, Benedict XVI added, "comes in the history of humanity to knock on the door of every man and woman of good will to offer individuals, families and peoples the gift of fraternity, concord and peace."

"Therefore, Advent is par excellence the time of hope, in which believers in Christ are invited to remain in vigilant and active expectation, nourished by prayer and by a concrete commitment to love," the Pope said.

Joy and peace

The Holy Father prayed that "Christ's approaching nativity fill the hearts of all Christians with joy, serenity and peace!"

The Pontiff added "to live this Advent period more authentically and fruitfully, the liturgy exhorts us to look at Mary most holy and to undertake spiritually with her the path to the cave of Bethlehem."

"When God knocked on the door of her youth, she received him with faith and love," Benedict XVI said.

Speaking of the upcoming feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, the Pope said: "Let us be attracted by her beauty, reflection of divine glory, so that 'the God that is coming' will find in each one of us a good and open heart, which he can fill with his gifts."

On Friday, feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Father will preside at 4 p.m. over the traditional homage to Mary Immaculate in Rome's Piazza di Spagna.
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