
'Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! shout, daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you; righteousness and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey on a colt, the foal of a donkey"
(Zechariah 9,9).
We are in the advent season which is a time of preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Our preparations for Christmas celebration is mainly a preparation of heart which should ultimately lead us to a renewal of heart. Renewal of heart is required for receiving Jesus in our life. We should make our hearts as simple and humble as the manger in Bethlehem. it should be free from all worldly tumults as that beautiful and silent night in which Jesus was born. Our heart should be exultant and joyful as that of the angel who sung "glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased'(Lk 2,14), on the birth of Jesus on that beautiful silent night. Let us be so simple and lowly as the shepherds who got the angelic announcements of the birth of Jesus. We should be so sensitive and receptive to the signs of God’s love and concern in our day-to-day life experiences as the magi who would decern the birth of Jesus, the King of the universe even in a manger and in a lowly situation.
In this unfortunate situation of Covid-19, they approach Christmas with a lot of anxiety and restlessness. But Covid-19 will only affect our common spiritual and physical preparations and celebrations.
The restriction on the common forum should not discourage or make a lazy in our preparation. Instead, it should turn our attention emphasis on the individual and personal level of preparation. The personal level of renewal is the most desirable thing in welcoming Jesus during Christmas.
Covid-19 should also increase our responsibility toward needy people. In Christmas, we remember God’s gift of His only Son to humanity which was in need of liberation from the slavery of sin (Jn 3,16). Indeed, this gift of God Himself is the most important message of Christmas which is to be followed in our Christian and religious life. Self-giving which consists of great sacrifice, helping the needy is what Christmas celebrations demand from us especially during this unfortunate situation of a pandemic.
Covid-19, I use this occasion to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May infant Jesus bless you all with his choicest blessing and the intercession and protection of our Blessed Mother Mary be with you all. Seeking the special care of our Blessed founder Luigi Monti in all our endeavors.
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