A Story of salvation always new

"The Ten Minutes at the Manger" has begun in Schoenstatt

26 de diciembre: un encuentro con el Niño Jesus para cientos de personas December 26: encounter with Baby Jesus for hundreds of people 26. Dezember: Begegnung mit dem Kind in der Krippe für Hunderte
Pesebre en la Iglesia de la Adoración Manger in the Adoration Church Krippe in der Anbetungskirche
Pequeños y grandes llenan la iglesia Young and old ones filling the church Klein und Groß füllen die Kirche
A toda voz, cantan las villancicos Singing the traditional Christmas carols Die alten Weihnachtslieder wecken so viele Erinnerungen
Navidad que vive Christmas live Weihnachten wird lebendig Fotos: POS Fischer © 2006
Galletitas, te y intercambio Christmas tea, cookies and sharing Weihnachtstee, Plätzchen und Plaudern Fotos:Tomás Garzón  © 2006 Album de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

SCHOENSTATT, Tomás Garzón. A group of small shepherds wearing hats and jackets gathering around the fire. Hundreds of sheep with white wool accompanied them. Angels with stars multiplied around Mary and Jesus, indicating the road for the three kings who arrived only few minutes later. The ten minutes at the manger have begun, and close to 60 children cover the stage with their costumes and stars. The Adoration Church is already full, although its doors are still open to the visitors who continue to arrive.

Christmas season continues in Schoenstatt, and the invitation invites several hundreds of people to experience a time of reflection and encounter with God. During "The Ten Minutes at the Manger" there is always movement. The atmosphere is not compressed or rigid; rather, it is dynamic, joyful, and relaxed. The program begins with music and a guided reflection done with great simplicity, starting very punctually. Mary and Joseph are the first to arrive on the stage through the main hall. The invasion of shepherds, sheep and stars do not cease until the end of the program.

Besides the privileged protagonists – the youngest children – there are a large number of adults, parents and young couples. The Sisters of Mary are seen in all sections of the church taking care that everything goes well. The large manger is erected on the right side of the altar, with two large Christmas trees behind it.

A very personal time

Each one of the visitors concentrates on what he most enjoys. The parents accompany their children to the stage or to obtain a costume at the back of the Church. Then, they take photos from their seats, they greet them and encourage their children from their seats. The least bashful get close to the stage to dance or simply to get a closer look. Others loudly sing the traditional Christmas carols that are played with guitars, piano and flutes. Some follow the reflections attentively, which seem simple but at a second look are very profound.

The great mystery of the presence of Jesus at each Christmas fills the hearts with feelings that are sometimes forgotten, such as hope, forgiveness or compassion. The paper stars give a personal touch to the time of community prayer. Those who want can write their intentions, desires, and hopes on the stars to entrust them to the Child Jesus, who has enough room in his manger for all of them.

At the end of the program, the visitors approach the huge manger to get a closer look. The children can barely peek above its base, with surprised looks and open mouthed. The adults pass by with much curiosity, taking photographs, looking at every corner. The manger is built with natural materials, such as tree branches, grass and rocks. Animals, shepherds and waterfalls surround the Holy Family. All the figures are delicately carved in wood.

Entrusted to Mary

"Oh Lady of Christmas Eve – Mother of Light, Queen of Peace, Cause of our joy – may Jesus be born again in my heart on this night. But for everyone: for my house, my town, for my country, for the entire world. And above all, basically, may Jesus be born again for the Glory of the Father. Amen. So be it." This is the Christmas prayer with which the ten minutes end. It was written by Cardinal Pironio, from Argentina.

However, before returning home, the majority of the participants of the ten minutes stop at the old farmhouse. There are cookies and tea to combat the winter cold, but above all, to take time for an encounter and dialogue. The families and the groups of people surely feel motivated to continue sharing a little longer, with the songs still ringing in their heads and with the presence of the Child God in their hearts.

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen,TX, USA