3.28 Natale è la più grande festa o vacanza dell’anno?
Dopo Pasqua e Pentecoste, Natale è la festa più importante dell’anno. A Natale celebriamo la nascita di Gesù, Dio stesso, come essere umano, così da poter essere a noi vicinissimo e mostrarci la strada verso Dio.
Per aiutarci a capire la grandezza di questo evento, Natale si celebra per un periodo di otto giorni che si chiama Ottava di Natale.
What does the Gospel teach about the mysteries of the birth and infancy of Jesus?
At Christmas the glory of heaven is shown forth in the weakness of a baby; the circumcision of Jesus is a sign of his belonging to the Hebrew people and is a prefiguration of our Baptism; the Epiphany is the manifestation of the Messiah King of Israel to all the nations; at the presentation in the temple, Simeon and Anna symbolise all the anticipation of Israel awaiting its encounter with its Savior; the flight into Egypt and the massacre of the innocents proclaim that the entire life of Christ will be under the sign of persecution; the departure from Egypt recalls the exodus and presents Jesus as the new Moses and the true and definitive liberator. [CCCC 103]
To peoples in all parts of the world who are moving with courage towards the values of democracy, freedom, respect and mutual acceptance, and to all persons of good will, whatever their culture, the joyful message of Christmas is today addressed: "Peace on earth to those on whom God’s favour rests" (cf. Lk 2:14). Of humanity as it approaches the new millennium, You, Lord Jesus, born for us at Bethlehem ask respect for every person, especially the small and the weak; you ask for an end to all forms of violence!... Thank you, Child Jesus, for this your gift! [Pope John Paul II, Urbi et Orbi Christmas 2000, n. 6]
