Know the time of year that is approaching to turn it into a valuable opportunity to reflect on our deepest longings. Explore the following verses to find authentic communion.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

In the whirlwind of superficial goals and tangible achievements that mark modern life, we tend to lose sight of the very essence of the Christmas celebration. We become engrossed in pursuing materialistic goals, longing for possessions or achievements that, while they may provide some satisfaction, do not fill the spiritual void we often experience.

Contemporary society plunges us into a maelstrom of individualism and a constant search for achievements that, although legitimate, do not satisfy our essential needs. How can we find meaning in a reality where 2% of the population has access to university education and only 12% has a stable job?

The reflection becomes imperative: what are we really looking for during this festive season? Is it perhaps the acquisition of material goods or social recognition that will fulfill our souls?

This special time invites an introspective analysis, a time to question our true yearnings and connection to the spiritual. It is a call to stop and rethink our priorities, to evaluate our lives in search of a deeper faith and a more authentic connection with others.

" I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all." Ecclesiastes 9:11

In this search for meaning, solidarity, forgiveness and empathy emerge as the true bridges to communion and true Christmas spirit. Building these bridges to a more inclusive and altruistic mindset brings us closer to a more authentic communion, illuminating our path to spiritual fulfillment in this special season.

It is crucial to recognize that our personal longings and achievements, while valid, cannot constitute the totality of our pursuit of happiness. Authentic fulfillment arises when we recognize and embrace the diversity of others' experiences and needs.

Solidarity stands as one of the fundamental pillars for building communion at Christmas. It involves going beyond our own limitations, extending a helping hand to those who struggle with adversity. It is sharing love, hope and compassion, and remembering that we are all part of a global community.

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Luke 6:41

Forgiveness, likewise, plays a transcendental role in this process. By freeing our hearts from grudges and resentments, we allow ourselves and others the gift of reconciliation. Forgiveness is not an excuse for negative actions, but an act of personal liberation that fosters healing and harmony.

Empathy, in this season, becomes a bridge of connection between souls. By putting ourselves in another's shoes, we can understand their joys, sorrows and struggles. This act of understanding and sensitivity brings us closer to the very essence of Christmas: love.

In this context, the central message is clear: Christmas is much more than gifts and festivities; it is a call to build bridges, reach out and open our hearts. In doing so, we embrace communion in its purest form and connect with the very essence of this special celebration.

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19

This Christmas season, we are invited to redefine our priorities and reconnect with what is essential: shared humanity and spirituality. It is a call to transcend the limits of individualism and materialism to embrace solidarity, forgiveness and empathy. Building bridges to communion becomes an act of generosity and openness toward others. By putting these values into practice, we move closer to the true meaning of Christmas: the love that unites, the reconciliation that heals and the empathy that connects us.

Instead of focusing solely on our own achievements and desires, Christmas reminds us of the importance of looking around us, of understanding realities different from our own, and of being instruments of love and compassion.

May we find in this season the inspiration to build bridges, to extend helping hands and to nurture communion among us. May the essence of Christmas motivate us to be agents of change and to bring light to those corners in need of hope and solidarity. May every gesture of love and understanding be a step towards a more authentic and meaningful communion.