God ‘never imposes upon us,’ Pope says before tree lighting; delegation visits Pope Emeritus
December 22, 2015
In a ceremony led by Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, the president of the Governatorate of Vatican City State, the Nativity scene and Christmas tree were illuminated in St. Peter’s Square on December 18.
The Nativity scene, which has 24 life-size figures, was constructed in Tesero, a town of 2,700 in northern Italy. At the request of Pope Francis, the crèche will be transported to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem after the Christmas season.
The Christmas tree, which is over 80 feet high, comes from Hirschau, a town of 5,800 in Bavaria.
In a December 18 audience with the delegations from northern Italy and Bavaria, Pope Francis said that “the crèche reminds us of this: God, in his great mercy, descended to us to stay with us.”
God “never imposes upon us with force,” he continued, adding:
To save us, He did not change history by performing a grand miracle. Instead, He lived with simplicity, humility and meekness. God does not like the dramatic revolutions of the powerful of history, and does not use a magic wand to change situations. Instead He makes Himself small, He becomes a child, to attract us with love, to touch our hearts with His humble goodness, to draw attention through His poverty to those who worry about accumulating the false treasures of this world.
On December 17, the Bavarian delegation visited Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Bayerischer Rundfunk posted video footage of the Pope Emeritus speaking with, and blessing, the delegation.
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Further information:
- Udienza ai Donatori del Presepio e dell’Albero di Natale in Piazza San Pietro, 18.12.2015 (Holy See Press Office)
- The Nativity shows us that the Lord never imposes (VIS)
- Hirschauer Christbaum leuchtet auf dem Petersplatz (Bayerischer Rundfunk)
- Illuminati Albero di Natale e Presepe in Piazza San Pietro (Vatican Radio)
- Vatican Christmas tree lit in December 18 ceremony (CWN, 12/18)
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