God’s Footprints in Our Lives

"Christmas" Reflections and observations from Rome

Pesebre en San Pedro Manger at St. Peter’s Krippe auf dem Petersplatz
Pesebre en el Santuario de Belmonte Crib in the Shrine in Belmonte Krippe im Heiligtum von Belmonte
Navidad Christmas Weihnachten Fotos: Nuño © 2007

ROME, Francisco Nuño. Although this year’s feast of the Epiphany has passed, I want to refer in my notes to the Christmas season and to some recent experiences. Time "passes" but it is good to pause and savor God’s footprints in our lives. So let us go back to Christmas.

This past December 22^nd, Anneliese and I took the plane in Rome-Fiumicino to fly to Madrid. The love and fineness of Sister Fernanda, our ‘travel companion’ in Belmonte and the blessing of our Schoenstatt Diocesan Priests from Mt. Moriah made it possible: Sister took care of the Shrine until our return on Wednesday the 27^th. For five days we had an intimate and joyous family experience with our loved ones in Madrid – with our sons, their wives and our four grandchildren who awaited us with much joy. After installing ourselves in the narrow seats on the plane – as time passes, the rows of seats on the planes become more narrow and more uncomfortable – I began to read a Madrid newspaper. How I hurt for my dear Spain! In one of the columns of the newspaper was the story of how those in charge of public schools in Zaragoza, Mijas, and Cartagena were against the setting up of Nativity Scenes in their schools. Respect for the children of other religions – Islam in particular – was the reason. This case has caused a controversy in Spain. In Europe we are living a chaos of identity without examples. We Europeans must reflect on this. Without clearer criteria and solid ideas, the European idea will succumb.

In regard to the Nativity Scenes, another experience, this one in Italy: a lady we know told us that this year for Christmas she had decided to place next to a ceramic bas-relief of the Holy Family from Nazareth, a small Nativity Scene along with three important figures – a figure of Buda, a small figure of Mohammed, and a third figure of an Israelite Rabbi. Her intention was to teach her 10 and 11 year-old children the need for a peaceful coexistence among religions. On the side I would like to say that throughout the entire Christmas vacation, the children have been alone with the grandmother because the parents went on a trip to get some rest.

Why are things this way?

To live in Rome has the advantage of being near the Holy Father and to be able, if one wants to, to follow daily his teachings. The Christmas holidays are filled with important and enlightening messages from our dear German Pope, His Holiness Benedict XVI. A series of speeches from the Vicar of Christ began precisely on the day we left for Madrid, Friday, Dec. 22^nd. On this day he met with cardinals, archbishops, bishops and important prelates of the Roman Curia who came to the Vatican to greet His Holiness and he addressed them. In his reflections, which are worthwhile reading, he also spoke of Europe. "Before these families with their children, before these families where generations help each other and in which the future is present (the Pope was speaking now to the cardinals about his trip to Valencia last year), Europe’s problem – Europe who hardly wants to have any more children – penetrated my soul. For a foreigner, this Europe appears tired, even more so, it gives the impression of wanting to say farewell to history. Why are things this way?"

The "erection" of the Nativity Scene in the home

That was precisely the question I had on the plane: why are things this way in Spain? Without wanting to enter into the dynamics of a senseless controversy, I thought of my grandchildren and I rejoiced for having in the attic of my home, for many years now, some boxes with a great deal of history. These boxes contain the figures of our family Nativity Scene which our children and grandchildren know perfectly. They, the four grandchildren, rejoiced on the 23^rd when we were all at home and we went up to the attic for the boxes. We removed a year’s dust and brought down into the house the images of the mystery: the shepherds and Magi, the dear images of the sheep, the chickens, goats and other animals. The "erection" of the Nativity Scene at home is an important part of our family life. Children and grandchildren await this moment with joy. Each one has his or her personal contribution for this Christmas task. The grandfather is the indisputable authority throughout the process…..Then, on Christmas Eve, we all gather at the Nativity Scene: we sing, we read the Gospel and we rejoice bringing the Holy Child our year’s offerings and receive from Him many valuable gifts (sometimes, with so many grandparents, aunts and uncles, we "overdo" it with the number of gifts!) The festivity of our family Christmas next to the Nativity Scene is a gift which God gives us and which we give to each other. This year, thanks to others, it has also been possible. Thank you, thank you.

A marvelous manger livens up the Shrine

Two more experiences with Nativity Scenes. The first is in regard to our Matri Ecclesiae Shrine in Rome. The Shrine’s furnishings were lacking an adequate Nativity Scene. Anneliese took the matter in hand and searched in the religious goods stores of Rome for the figures for a Nativity Scene worthy of our Shrine’s atmosphere. The prices for these "manger items" frightened us. At a specialty store near the Vatican, we finally found a Nativity Scene we liked. They were wooden figures painted by hand. They were made in Groeden, a city in the Dolomites in South Tyrol. It is a small marvel with a happy and agile style – beautiful – much to the liking of our Italians. After consulting with those responsible from Mt. Moriah (our Schoenstatt Diocesan Priests) and counting on the generous donations which the last German pilgrims left in the Shrine, we bought the most important figures of the nativity Scene. At Holy Mass on Dec. 18^th at the Shrine, the pilgrims who were present took in procession to the altar each of the figures. Today, those who pray in the Shrine are overjoyed to have a beautiful Nativity Scene before them where Joseph and Mary rejoice in the Child God who is attentively watched by an ox and a mule who give warmth to the scene.

While in Rome during the Christmas season, it is obligatory to go to St. Peter’s Square to admire, along with thousands of international pilgrims, the Nativity Scene which those responsible at the Vatican install at St. Peter’s Square. Anneliese and I have gone twice to pray and to savor the atmosphere. We have joyfully read an explanation which says that some of the figures for this year’s Nativity Scene are from the Nativity Scene which our dear St. Vincent Pallotti put up in 1842 at the Basilica of Sant Andrea della Valle in Rome. Through this caress from Divine Providence for us, we have united with our Father and Founder at St. Peter’s Square to adore the newborn Child and we have given thanks to God for the opportunity and the time he has given us.

"Let us not forget the true gift"

Speaking of time, I want to end today’s notes with words taken from the Holy Father’s homily during this year’s solemn Midnight Mass: "Christmas has become a holiday of gifts to imitate God who has been given to us. Let this make a dent in our heart, in our soul and in our mind. Among the many gifts we buy and receive, let us not forget the true gift: to give each other something of ourselves. To give each other our time. To open up our time to God. Thus the commotion settles. Thus joyfulness is born and the celebration comes forth."

Translation Carlos Cantú Family Federation La Feria, Texas USA 011607