Every December we immerse ourselves in a whirlwind of lights, shopping, travel and celebration that seems to get bigger with each passing year. Christmas, which has become a powerful global industry, is experienced today as a period of accelerated consumption and almost obligatory expectations of happiness. Without … But behind this commercial and emotional demonstration lies a deeper meaning, often forgotten and relegated to the background, which deserves to be recovered. The human and spiritual origin of Christmas.
Essentially, Christmas originated as the celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Beyond personal convictions, this event contains a message that has transcended centuries, generations and borders. The affirmation that hope can arise in the most humble places. The nursery scene is above all a reminder of the dignity of children. In a world accustomed to measuring value by wealth, power or visibility, the story of the child born in a stable is almost subversive.
The Christian tradition has focused on three fundamental ideas. The first is peace symbolized by the angels who announce the “good news” for all humanity. Christmas did not originally invite the tension of shopping, but rather rest, reunion and reconciliation. The second is solidarity, the shepherds and the wise men represent the diversity of those who approach the mystery without distinction of origin or condition. Everyone can participate, no one is excluded. The third is hope, a virtue that does not consist of refusing to see reality, but rather of believing that the world can be better when we begin to transform it from what is close to us.
Over time, these values have been obscured by market demands. Contemporary Christmas is often celebrated in the form of a gift giving competition, endless dinners and busy schedules. You live more outward than inward. But the paradox is obvious, the more the noise of Christmas intensifies, the greater the desire to rediscover its authentic and less frenetic meaning.
Returning to the origin does not require big gestures. It’s about something as simple as finding the human dimension of these dates. Listen more, judge less, share your time – such a rare resource – and remember that joy cannot be bought. It also invites us to look at those who are having difficulty making ends meet, those who are alone, those who are going through a difficult year. Christmas is meaningful when it generates connections, not bills.
Nor is it a question of abandoning the lights or the celebrations. Tradition can coexist with modernity. But perhaps we should ask ourselves: what do we really want to illuminate? A showcase or the heart of a community? In an era marked by haste and polarization, rediscovering the original meaning of Christmas can be a profoundly innovative act. Because ultimately the essence of these dates remains the same as always, fostering peace, offering hope and sharing joy with everyone around us.
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