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La contribución católica a la temporada festiva es ampliar el sentido de las fiestas al tomar la Encarnación del Verbo como punto central. Por un lado, esto evita el apuro de la anticipación que promueve la comunidad empresarial, pues esta es la temporada que le representa la mayor prosperidad. La mentalidad católica protesta el énfasis exagerado en el consumismo, a la vez que evita poner fin a la temporada antes de que termine. Los católicos le recuerdan al prójimo que aún hay más.

Si prestamos atención, hay una magia en la época navideña que toca a todos. Hay cantos e himnos que se escuchan e interpretan en esta temporada solamente; hay reuniones familiares y tarjetas que se envían a muchas personas, familiares y amigos sólo durante esta época del año. Los niños la esperan con entusiasmo y expectativa. Las decoraciones hacen que la ciudad y los edificios brillen de una manera intensamente atractiva para los sentidos.

Sin embargo, los cristianos católicos tienen una manera particular de celebrar esta temporada. Los católicos celebran la Navidad por un período de tiempo más prolongado que el resto de la gente. Para los católicos, la temporada navideña comienza con un período largo y prudente llamado el Adviento. Su propósito es preparar al corazón para que sienta la esperanza en la venida del Señor. El profeta Isaías anunciaba el tema de la esperanza y el optimismo. En las parroquias, es una práctica común realizar campañas caritativas para ayudar a los ancianos, a los enfermos, y a las personas excluidas de las celebraciones familiares. Este es un tiempo en el que la mayoría de los católicos acude con buenas resoluciones al sacramento de la reconciliación para encontrar la sanación.

En ocasiones, al caminar por mi vecindario el día después de la Navidad, me sorprende ver la rapidez con la que desaparecen los árboles navideños y las decoraciones. Pero los católicos sólo han llegado a la mitad de la temporada. Justo después de la Navidad, hay ocho días (una octava) de fiestas importantes, con hermosas lecturas e himnos. El Domingo después de la Navidad, celebramos a la Sagrada Familia de Nazaret. El 1ro de enero nos concentramos en María, como Madre de Dios. También es un día universal de oración por la paz mundial, cuando el Santo Padre nos ofrece un mensaje que es predicado al mundo entero; el tema del mensaje para 2009 será “Combatir la Pobreza, Construir la Paz”. El primer Domingo del nuevo año celebramos la Epifanía, una historia que solamente se encuentra en el Evangelio de San Mateo. Representa al mundo, simbolizado por los tres reyes, quienes rinden honor y adoración al Rey de la Gloria, al Salvador de todos. La temporada navideña concluye con la celebración del Bautismo de Nuestro Señor, que tiene lugar a mediados de enero.

Estamos en deuda con el calendario litúrgico, pues la liturgia de la Iglesia es la que establece una cultura de celebración y oración. Dice el salmista: “Gusten y vean qué bueno es el Señor”. Las prácticas litúrgicas, y la religiosidad popular que les rodea, nos motivan a celebrar de manera comunitaria el misterio fundamental de Dios quien, por Su amor increíble, se atrevió a ser uno de nosotros en Jesucristo.

¿Cómo celebra la temporada navideña en su hogar? ¿Se acuerda de celebrar la época del Adviento en su totalidad?

Msgr. Felipe J. Estévez, S.T.D.
Obispo Auxiliar de Miami

Comments from readers

emilio laban - 01/01/2009 05:17 PM
Thanks so much Bishop Estevez for your very well article that you participate us.
Without doubt the generosity and humility of God is infinity. "being rich to become poor for our cause, then we to become rich with spiritual gifts" (Ph 2). the way as we to learn says our holy fatheer to reach the glory and to tranform the poor reality to living with dignity and justice then the Lord Jesus Christ peace will reign all over the world!
Priest Emilio Lab�n from Paita - Piura- Peru.
Maria E. Semper - 12/28/2008 06:55 PM
Thank you Bishop Estevez, again, for your teachings and your words of wisdom. They are very much appreciated and needed.
During the Advent season, as the city lights up and we rush to get "ready for Chistmas", I often wonder if instead our souls are driven away from the Lord more than ever. So lilttle time is left to stop, be in silence, reflect, pray and truely get ready. Luckily, we might occasionaly drive by a Nativity scene where we are shortly reminded of the true reason for the season. It looks like the reason for the season is either Frosty or Rudolph or Santa, a winter scene, the company party, cards with children's pictures, family and friends or even "giving". Yes, it is the season for all of these but none of these should drive us apart from His presence in our hearts and the joy of having Him within us during the season and throughout our lives. With this love and joy in our hearts for Him, we should live our lives, put up every decoration, pack every present and participate in the Liturgies, for He is the true reason for the season and He is the greatest LOVE there is. As you said, harshly, all stops the day after Christmas, then comes January with the New Year's feast, football games, and going back to work and the same routine. Have we by then forgotten the ongoing feast or have we not ever been part of it? Thank you for reminding us to follow the spiritual guidance of the Liturgical Calendar of our Catholic Church.
May the Lord be always with us, that is my wish to all, and may the Feast of the Three Kings show us the wisdom to always search for the Lord.
robert cruz - 12/26/2008 09:13 PM
Cesar, I could not agree with you more on your posting. It reminds me of my friend and I speaking about the Christmas season, a time lasting for more than one day. We both came to an understanding that this season is a time to give back to those in need, in whichever way possible. By giving back, friendships and could form and what a great time for it to occur.

The way we celebrate Christmas in our home is by trying to understand its whole message, one of spending time with each other. It can be related to the feast of the Holy Family, falling under the Christmas season. Furthermore, we learned from our ancestors in Spain (on my mother's side) that Christmas is not a one day event, but many days. The tree is removed once the Epiphany has concluded. In addition, we say "Merry Christmas" to our friends and family during the many days, not December 25. If not, would we taste and see the goodness of the Lord?
Cesar J. Baldelomar - 12/26/2008 12:22 PM
Bishop Estevez reminds us all that the Christmas season signifies much more than the exchange of gifts, putting up the tree, and sleeping in on days when many of us would normally wake up before the crack of dawn. In today�s fast-paced, sensory overloaded world, when many events, individuals, and time itself are taken for granted, it is necessary to slow down and reflect on the life and meaning of one person, one God: Jesus. It is also essential to reflect on our lives in light of Jesus� life.

The liturgical calendar of the Church, as Bishop Estevez mentions, allows us all to pause, acknowledge, and celebrate the numerous miracles of God and their significance for our lives. Further, the Catholic Christmas liturgical celebrations bring together the entire Catholic family to celebrate the awesome Incarnation of the Word. It thus fosters community, which is essential in today�s fragmented world when playing playstation or surfing the internet is replacing face-to-face engagement with family and friends.

And lastly, as Bishop Estevez says, the liturgical celebrations of the Church encourage a sense of social justice, for �It is a common practice in parishes to have charitable drives reaching out to the elderly, the sick, and people who are left out of family celebrations.� Matthew 25 clearly serves as a reminder to us that serving the least in our world is tantamount to serving Jesus, since he is found especially in those that society considers the least.

So, Christmas season � which does not end on December 25 � is a time to celebrate many facets of the human experience, such as relationships with relatives and friends, our lives, the little things we constantly take for granted, the hope and optimism found in those who emulate Jesus by serving the vulnerable, and, of course, the one who inspires all: JESUS!

Thank you, Bishop Estevez, for a great and timely article!

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