Let us choose to take advantage of a unique opportunity to approach the necessary repair of our inner being at this special time of the year. Learn in the following verses a unique way of forgiveness.
"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." Luke 2:6-7
Let us avoid succumbing to the pressure of rush and consumerist stress. Instead of letting ourselves be carried away by states like these, a neutral option is to focus on sharing small things with our family or partner in a leisurely and serene manner. The ideal would be to consume without going overboard in useless expenses and excessive materialism that provide us with ephemeral and deceitful happiness.
"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” which means “God with us”." Matthew 1:22-23
Taking stock of the year is always a good exercise, that is why we should focus on the positive experiences we have had and what we have learned, even from the so-called failures or adversities. Making a good balance will allow us to value everything that has happened in a more productive and profitable way. We will see that failures are not so bad and we will learn from those experiences.
"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child." Luke 2:4-5
In the face of family conflict we must be calm and find in God the answer. During Christmas gatherings there may be friction, arguments or quarrels between relatives and let us remember that we can face these moments with listening, reflection and optimism. Let us try to squeeze all the good out of these moments which, although they may seem bad, have positive things in them.
"But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.'" Matthew 1:20
When we spend the first Christmas without a loved one because he or she has passed away we should try to assume very firmly that it is a reality that is not within anyone's reach to solve.
If we wish to extract some positive part, we could think that death is the greatest lesson of detachment that God can give us, and that the people who have lived it closely have obtained great doses of detachment, neutrality, gratitude and happiness, becoming pure life, with a greater capacity of valuation and acceptance.
"But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." Luke 2:10
It is interesting to face those moments that our children live when opening gifts in a grateful way, without letting ourselves be carried away by nostalgia or depression when they cease to exist, just as we must also be cautious not to fall into the ostentation that consumerism fosters, appreciations that move us away from the way of Christ.