The pastor of the parish of San Lorenzo in Pamplona had just been on the phone with Pope Francis. “It was really very surprising. At 4:30 p.m. I was at the rectory of San Lorenzo when my cell phone rang,” explained the priest, who thought it was a business call or one of the many parishioners.
At the other end of the line was Pope Francis, who was calling to tell him that he had read his text written a few days earlier about Christmas during the coronavirus pandemic.
The text, titled “Will there be Christmas?” and presented as a poem, reaffirms the true meaning of the holiday. Certainly, the end of this year is likely to be less hectic than what we’re used to, the priest points out. But that’s just the point. It’s an opportunity to finally experience the silence and peace of Bethlehem.
According to the priest, Pope Francis appreciated the message of the poem and told him that Christmas would be “more purified” because of the health crisis. “He told me how the Christian spirit of those days has been progressively stolen from us,” he said.
The news outlet Navarra.com published the original text written by Fr. Leoz. Here is an English translation.
Will there be Christmas?
Of course!
More silent and with more depth.
More like unto the first one, when Jesus was born in solitude.
Without many lights on earth but with the star of Bethlehem shining on paths of life in its immensity.
Without colossal royal processions but with the humility of feeling as if we are shepherds, young and old, seeking the Truth.
Without big tables and with bitter absences but with the presence of a God who will fill everything.
Will there be Christmas?
Of course!
Without streets overflowing with people with our hearts burning for the One who is about to arrive.
Without noise or festivals, complaints or stampedes … but living the Mystery without fear of the “COVID-Herod” that tries to rob us even of the dream of waiting.
There will be Christmas because GOD is on our side and He shares, as Christ did in a manger, our poverty, trials, tears, anguish and orphanhood.
There will be Christmas because we need a divine light in the midst of such darkness.
COVID-19 will never be able to reach the heart or soul of those who put their hope and their high ideal in heaven.
THERE WILL BE CHRISTMAS! WE WILL SING CHRISTMAS CAROLS! GOD WILL BE BORN AND WILL BRING US FREEDOM!
(J. Leoz) https://aleteia.org/2020/11/13/pope-calls-spanish-priest-to-congratulate-him-for-will-there-be-christmas-reflection/
JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON – Without CHRIST, there is NO CHRISTMAS!
My Wife BAIDA and I wish All of You my Dear Family, Relatives, U.P. VANGUARD Brods & Sis, Classmates and Dear Friends and your respective Families the Message of CHRISTMAS – LOVE, GENEROSITY, PEACE & HOPE. A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPIER & MORE PROSPEROUS 2021 TO YOU ALL!
