Pope: Christmas tree and crib symbols of hope and love
(Vatican Radio) This year’s Christmas tree and crib were due
to be inaugurated and lit up on Friday afternoon in St Peter’s Square. Earlier
in the day in the Paul VI hall, Pope Francis met with the donors of the tree
and the nativity scene, telling them that these gifts “form a message of hope
and love.”
Welcoming the donors of this year’s Christmas Tree and crib,
Pope Francis thanked them for their gifts which he said, would be admired in
Saint Peter’s Square “by pilgrims from around the world during Advent and the
Christmas holidays.”
The 25 metre high spruce tree was donated by the Lagorai
Forests Association which is located the Trentino region of Northern Italy and
the Pope remarked that, “the beauty of those views is an invitation to
contemplate the Creator and to respect nature, the work of his hands.”
The Pope also had a special word of thanks to the children
who decorated the tree, with the support of the "Lene Thun
Foundation" that organises the ceramic therapy workshops in various
Italian hospitals for children undergoing treatment for cancer and other
illnesses.
He told them that, “the multicoloured ornaments you have
created represent the values of life, love and peace that Christ's Christmas
proposes to us anew each year.”
This year’s crib in the Square, was donated by the Bishops
and the Government of Malta and is the work of artist Manwel Grech from Gozo.
The Nativity scene features 17 figures dressed in
traditional Maltese costume as well as a replica of a traditional “Luzzu”
Maltese boat.
The Holy Father said that this typical Maltese vessel,
recalled “the sad and tragic reality of migrants on boats making their way
toward Italy”, and he expressed the hope that “those who visit this nativity
scene would be invited to rediscover its symbolic value", which, he said,
was “a message of fraternity, of sharing, of welcome and solidarity.”
Pope Francis concluded by telling those gathered that, “the
crib and the tree form a message of hope and love, and help create a Christmas
spirit that can draw us closer to living with faith the mystery of the birth of
the Redeemer who came to this earth in simplicity and meekness.”
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