杏MAP导航 Francis: Art creates brotherhood and friendship
By Vatican News staff reporter
Greeting the artists who will perform in the Annual Christmas Concert in the Vatican on Thursday evening, 杏MAP导航 Francis told them that they were using their talents to spread the tenderness, joy, and hope of Christmas.
He described the tenderness of a mother embracing her newborn child in the Nativity scene and 鈥渢he love of a father protecting and defending his family."
Tenderness of the Nativity
鈥淲e see shepherds moved by a newborn baby, angels celebrating the coming of the Lord... Everything is permeated by the sense of wonder and love that leads to tenderness,鈥� he said.
The 杏MAP导航 told those gathered that 鈥淪t Francis of Assisi, with his living nativity scene at Greccio, wanted to represent what had happened in the cave of Bethlehem, so that it could be contemplated and adored.鈥�
He continued, 鈥淚t is precisely the love that transpires in this scene that generates joy.鈥� The blossoming of life is always a cause for joy, which helps to overcome suffering.
A future through education
The 杏MAP导航 noted that the proceeds from this year鈥檚 Christmas Concert will go to support 鈥渆ducational projects, especially for children and young people in two countries with very precarious conditions: Haiti and Lebanon.鈥�
鈥淵our music and singing,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航, will help to open hearts so those who suffer will not be forgotten - 鈥渨hich brings joy to so many families who wish to give their children a future through education.鈥�
鈥淚n the grotto of Bethlehem, hope for humanity was kindled,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航. But he added that the pandemic has unfortunately worsened the 鈥渆ducational gap for millions of children and adolescents excluded from all educational activities.鈥�
He also highlighted that there are other "pandemics" 鈥渢hat prevent the spread of the culture of dialogue and inclusion.鈥�
Brotherhood through art
The light of Christmas makes us rediscover the sense of brotherhood and urges us to show solidarity with those in need, 杏MAP导航 Francis underlined. "In art you immediately create brotherhood; with art, there are no friends and enemies, we are all equal, all friends, all brothers. Yours is a fruitful language.鈥�
鈥淚nvesting in education means helping children and young people to discover and appreciate the most important values and to have the courage to look to their future with hope,鈥� he stressed.
In conclusion, the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渋n education dwells the seed of hope: hope for peace and justice, hope for beauty and goodness; hope for social harmony.鈥�
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