On line on December 19th, 20th and 21st, an experiment from SIR Daily News in English. The service will officially start on January 9th 2006
An appeal to rediscover "the value of Christmas celebrations" to oppose to the "consumer culture" that "drives the Christian symbols out of Christmas celebrations". It was submitted today by the Pope, who, at the general audience the last one before Christmas , dwelt on the "mystery of Christmas" and the "many symbols" it contains, including that of light. "While a certain modern consumer culture drives the Christian symbols out of the Christmas celebrations warned Benedict XVI, who for the occasion was wearing a red cape on the white cassock and a red cap hemmed in ermin , may everyone strive to understand the value of Christmas traditions that belong to the heritage of our faith and our culture, to hand them down to the next generations". He also added some factual references to the atmosphere leading to Christmas: "In seeing streets and squares decked out in dazzling lights the Holy Father warned , bear in mind that these lights call us to another light, which is invisible to the eyes, but not to the heart. As we admire them, as we light the candles at church or the lights of the crib or the Christmas tree at home, may our soul open up to the true spiritual light borne to all the men of good will. God with us, born in Bethlehem from the Virgin is the Star of our life!". Hence his petition to the Lord to "speed up His glorious Advent amidst us, because only in Him can the real expectations of the human heart be fulfilled", and can "the strength to always follow the walk of truth, justice and love" really be born (to be continued).
