Natale religioso

Passing on the meaning of Jesus' birth—this is Christmas, a celebration embodying love, a sense of family, and sharing, which are none other than the principles of the Christian faith. God's love was poured out upon humanity through the very gift of his Son, the hope of new life, of inner rebirth for a life that never fades, that is eternal. Therefore, the historical continuity of certain purely religious traditions is fundamental, which does not mean rejecting the diversity of our increasingly multiethnic, multireligious, or definitively atheist society. This is why we like to discuss one in particular: the Advent wreath.
This tradition does not have very ancient roots; it dates back to the nineteenth century in Germany, where it is said that the Protestant pastor Johann Heinrich Wichern (1808-1881) created this custom to help the poor children he had gathered at his home in Hamburg, called the "Rauhe Haus," restoring dignity to their humble lives. Here, young people were introduced not only to a life of work but also to a life of prayer. In Advent 1838, we read in the pastor's diary that, wanting to find a way to make the Advent of Jesus the Savior interesting for the guests of the house, he began on December 1st by telling them a short religious story, accompanied by a ceremony involving the lighting of a colored candle. The young people gathered in the dormitory of the house, and the pastor would tell them about the Lord's birth, and in doing so, a candle would be lit each day: this ritual was called the celebration of the candles.
A friend of the pastor prepared a wooden circle on which the various candles were placed to resemble a large crown of light. Initially, there were 24, representing the number of days in December leading up to Christmas: 20 thinner red candles and 4 white candles. The custom was later adopted by families, and this crown of light was customary in homes; obviously, it was difficult to reproduce all 24 candles, so the number of candles was reduced. At the end of the 19th century, we find only four candles used for the four Sundays of Advent: three purple and one pink.
At the beginning of the 20th century, what was a custom in the Protestant world also spread to the Catholic world: in 1925, an Advent wreath was placed for the first time in a Catholic church in Cologne; in 1930, Munich followed suit.
During the National Socialist era (1933-1945), Nazi ideologists attempted to desecrate Christmas and transform the Christian Christmas into a "German Christmas," "Yule," or "Winter Solstice Festival." Alternative shapes were added to the supporting structure, such as the sun wheel or Viking decorations that symbolized the Germanic origins; in other cases, a swastika-shaped base was used. Another pagan symbol was also introduced: the "Julleuchter" ("Yule candlestick"). This clay candlestick, decorated with Germanic runes, was associated with the "winter solstice" festival.
After World War II, this beautiful custom spread throughout the Christian world. We asked Alessio, a contemplative monk in the world of the CFD of Barsotti, about the secrets behind this Advent wreath ritual, which he has been preparing for years in the Casentino mountains where he lives today. First, what does it take to make a good Advent wreath? The main focus of the wreath is the evergreen branches, which have a religious meaning: the faith that never fades, or the living Christ, since green represents hope and life. Here in Casentino, among other things, we have large groves of fir, Norway spruce, and silver fir trees: we harvest branches to make the wreath. I also add branches of laurel, butcher's broom, juniper, and rosehip berries, which are abundant in the Casentino forests.
The wreath's shape is circular because it signifies that God's eternity is without beginning or end; the gradual lighting of the four candles signifies a progressive victory of light. upon the darkness.
The first purple candle heralds the prophets' announcement of the coming of the Messiah: we are still far away, but there is a hopeful expectation. The color purple because it is a time of penance and spiritual preparation.
The second, also purple, candle represents Bethlehem, the city where the Messiah was born, the candle of Christ's salvation, the bringer of peace. The color purple invites reflection on the inner peace that brings Christ to the heart of man.
 The third candle, however, is pink, interrupting the violet cycle. It is the candle of the shepherds who went to adore the Messiah; the angels sang Glory to God in the highest heavens; there is joy that bursts into man's life, so we leave the purple, symbol of penance, to announce the joy of salvation on Gaudete Sunday.
The fourth, again purple, candle represents the angels announcing the birth of the Messiah; it would be the candle of love.