@gertu13 12 December 2020 more from that month

Memories, joy, Christmas! We’re in the middle of Christmas season. The atmosphere, despite everything that happened this year, is one of proximity, of celebration.

But there’s a lot of pain around, everywhere I see there are stories of pain. But still, people want to spend days of peace and reconciliation. Many comment that children don’t have to miss Santa's visit due to the fact that we are deprived of liberty, of food, of conditions to celebrate. As long as we have loved ones around us there will be reasons to feel the Christmas atmosphere and celebrate. I think that the feeling of Christmas is something personal. It’s a feeling of unity, reunion, love, of integration with the family, it’s not something that can be stored and released just because the Christmas date has arrived, I don't think so. Rather, I believe that it is a feeling kept in the heart and that we accept to get out of there because we need to be reunited with the love that our family gives. A time when the date of birth of the one who gave everything for humanity is commemorated. Many families are separated, disintegrated, or in conflict with one another. But even so, they allow the feeling of family unity to emerge on these dates. It’s not a date to give gifts only, it goes beyond that, because in many homes these days there is not enough purchasing power to give gifts to each other, not even to buy new clothes. But without having enough money to go shopping, there is instead enough love to share with others. These are days when we need to fill our hearts with love to be able to smile, to have good times with our own family. Although it’s a family group of few members, we feel the need to enjoy Christmas with them. I think that Christmas is love, it’s sharing and it’s union. I don't think Christmas is just gifting, going into debt, alcohol and pure commercialism.  These days, although many are sad for the losses suffered throughout this year filled with so many difficulties. These are days to share with the children, those angels that accompany us for so many hours of the day, to share with our elders, those beings who gave everything to see us as we are today and to share with our brothers, sisters, neighbors or even our own community. There is always someone with whom to share our life, our joys or sorrows. There is always someone with whom to spend some time of discernment, a time of gathering, simply sharing a feeling… there is always someone willing to see us, to listen to us, to look at us. There is always someone willing to wish a merry Christmas, despite everything, despite the circumstances that surround us. There is always someone who wants to share their best wishes so that you are well. There is always someone who wants to share a word of love and hope. There is always someone who wants to wish everyone a Merry Christmas despite all. I want to be that person today... I hope you have a merry Christmas!