Later when he passed down to his disciple the task of interceding for the people, the latter went to the same secret place in the forest and once there he addressed God in this terms: “I no longer know how to light the fire, but I can still recite the prayer,” and again, the miracle happened.
The years passed until one day when a tragedy was about to again strike the people and it was up to Rabbi Moshe-Leib of Sasov to perform the deliverance ritual, he said to himself: “I do not know how to light the fire nor do I remember the words of the prayer, but I can still find the secret place, I guess this will have to be enough for the miracle to take place," and so it was, on heading to the secret place in the forest, the miracle of deliverance of the people took place.
After many more years had passed, it was Rabbi Israel of Rizhyn’s turn to perform the deliverance ritual from the tragedies. Seated in his armchair, holding his head in his hands, he spoke to God in this way: “I know that I’m unable to light the fire, I do not know the prayer, and I cannot even find the secret place where my predecessors used to go. The only thing I can do is to tell the story,” this he did and the miracle also happened.
Christmas traditions
The traditions which have been associated with Christmas make this holiday the richest of all the holidays symbolically and also the most popular of the western culture. Each of these traditions by itself does not encompass the full meaning of Christmas but does help to explain a part of it.
Christmas is Santa Claus, a respectable old man who does not hide his age nor tries to appear younger, and who breaks into kindness by giving presents to children, patting them on the heads and placing them on his laps. The red of his suit has nothing to do with that brown soda pop, as they say spitefully, but rather with the red vestment of a bishop. Historically, Santa Claus is associated with the bishop Saint Nicholas hence the word Santa Claus; mythically, he represents God the Father who gives us his Son as a gift. Christmas is the time when the Pope gives his Urbi et Orbe address and blessing to the entire world.
Christmas is the countless blinking lights that decorate and illuminate our cities and towns. Christmas is the streets and windows of all the shops decorated for the occasion that invites the customers to come in and buy gifts. Christmas is the nativity scene, the life-sized ones in our plazas and the smaller ones in our homes which evoke the true story of Christmas. Christmas is the Christmas tree, conical evergreen trees that point to Heaven, illuminated, embellished and found in strategic locations in our cities and towns, and also in our homes.
Christmas is the cold that leads to the lighting of a fireplace which exudes physical and human warmth. Christmas is the dark night that gathers all men by the light of a candle. Christmas is the house with windows glowing of warm amber light and smoke in the chimney, which contrasts with the dark landscape of white and freezing snow.
Christmas is the well-wishing cards received by the dozens, that are displayed, and which are now becoming scarce. Christmas is the family reunion, united in love and harmony for the Christmas night. Christmas is the Christmas dinner: potatoes cooked with codfish and cabbages, drizzled with raw olive oil, the stewed Christmas octopus served with potatoes and kale, the roasted turkey with savory stuffing at the center of the table, the English pudding, and all the traditional desserts according to countries and regions.
Christmas is the stockings hung by the fireplace, the joy of the parents who give gifts and the wide-eyed children frantically opening them. Christmas is the large bonfire in the churchyard keeping the parishioners warm prior to the Midnight Mass. Christmas is the song of the angels of “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of goodwill” accompanied with bells.
Christmas is the Christmas songs, the “Silent Night”, the English “Christmas carols”, the Spanish “villancicos” and the Portuguese “Janeiras”. Christmas is to kiss the Baby Jesus; Christmas is the longing of the Christmases of the past that will never return; Christmas is the sadness, for not being able to be cheerful, when we are alone or far from those we love… Christmas is all of this and so much more…
“Jesus is the reason for the season”
There are many in our society who spend this season without any reference to the real meaning of Christmas, and this has led some Christians to stand up and shout, in defense against what Christmas has become, that “JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!”.
It is true that nowadays only some people know the story of the visitation of Angel Gabriel to Mary, the incarnation of the Creator to a creature and the Divine Word who became a man, God is one of us, God-with-us, who came to teach us within our human nature how we ought to live this God-given life. Few know that the Child God, called Jesus, was born in a stable in Bethlehem and was born of Mary and placed in a manger which served as his cradle; and that the angels sang “Glory to God” and the poorest of that region, the shepherds, could not contain their joy at his arrival.
Paraphrasing the tale told above, the magic of Christmas happens every year at the appointed time despite the lack of knowledge of the true story. As if it was embedded in our genes, Christmas with its magic and spirit is triggered every year when winter comes.
Its arrival has the same effect as the fairy dust in the fairy tales; it modifies the thoughts, the feelings and the actions of everyone. At Christmas time, to do good seems the most natural, and everyone has more will power and motivation to avoid doing evil. In the big cities, crimes go down. There are truces in wars, and men stop for a moment being wolves with their peers.
“Queen for a day”
Christmas is the dream and the paradise of a future world that is fairer, more peaceful and more fraternal. The reality of the present day is far from this dream, but it seems that on Christmas Day this dream does seem to come true.
It may be just like the notion of “the queen for the day”, but it is enough for us not to forget that our goal is in fact that every day should be like Christmas Day, as it is portrayed by a certain Christmas store in Quebec City, Canada, that is purposely open every day of the year.
Christmas is not and will never be what it used to be, but whatever it may become, its magic and spirit will never be lost and so we will always have Christmas, even if it is only once a year, because we cannot do without it.
Fr. Jorge Amaro, IMC
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