I think this is something both Orthodox & Catholics, Old & New Calendar, can agree upon...

http://reuters.myway.com/article/2005121...RISTMAS-DC.html

Pope says materialism pollutes Christmas spirit


Email this Story

Dec 11, 8:21 AM (ET)


VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict warned on Sunday against rampant materialism which he said was polluting the spirit of Christmas.

"In today's consumer society, this time of the year unfortunately suffers from a sort of commercial 'pollution' that threatens to alter its real spirit," the Pope told a large crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square to hear his weekly Angelus blessing.

He said Christmas should be marked with sober celebrations and urged Christians to display a nativity crib in their houses as "a simple but effective way of showing their faith and conveying it to their children."

Last year, under Pope John Paul, the Vatican launched a high-profile campaign to urge Roman Catholic Italy not to compromise the spirit of Christmas through excess or dilute its message out of fear of offending a growing Muslim population.

Amen, Your Holiness, amen!

AMEN!

May the true meaning of Christmas shine forth in all of us so that the world may see God sent his Son!

Pani Rose

Dear Kollyvas,

Thank you for increasing our love and respect for Pope Benedict!!

Alex

Yes, Pope Benedict XVI is a good shepherd and a good teacher who gets right to the heart of things.

May we keep the Christmas spirit as God wills it in worship, simplicity, and joy as we reflect upon the birth of Christ and all that means.

Peace in Christ,

Porter

Dear Porter,

Yes, it's so nice when an Orthodox brother draws us closer around the Chair of Peter!

Alex

I couldn't agree more. Now I shall go and register with several of the better stores in Chicago and New York, supplying my list of Xmas wishes, and will post the shops on the Forum, so that you can all send me lots of gifts that I can't afford to buy for myself!

Incognitus

Attention Moderator: THIS IS A JOKE! Kindly do not treat it as though it were meant seriously!

Dear Incognitus,

Would you like a new Pectoral Cross?

Alex

For me, I support the Catholic League's defense of Christmas and would work to expand it, but if the Archbishop of Canterbury were to say the same or similar things, I'd rally to him on the issue as well...In our "post-Christian" societies, there are fundamental things which have no bearing on confessionalism. Christmas is the great joy of the ages, FOR CHRIST IS WITH US!!! Rejoice all ye nations,

Dear Kollyvas,

If that is your position, then the only thing I can say is . . .

"MANY YEARS TO HIS HOLINESS THE PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW!"

Alex

Dear Alex,

I thought you knew that Kyr Cornelius is a Metropolitan, not Patriarch!

Just give me summa that ol' time religion...

يا ربي يسوع المسيح،يا ابن الله،ارحمنا نحن الخطأة

Many Years to him as well!

I hold two fingers up for him!

Alex

Actually, one of the ways the West crossed itself was two outstretched fingers and 3 folded into the palm. Western icons still make use of this form when depicting Christ blessing. Until the 16th. century, this was a very common way that Latins crossed themselves from right to left--the other being the whole hand which originated from the crusaders: ever try to cross yourself with a gauntlet on?! I seem to remember that the form survived amonst the Cistercians until late: of course, by then, from left to right...And aren't/weren't some papal blessings given with two outstretched fingers?

Dear Kollyvas,

Yes, Pope Innocent III actually wrote a letter defending the three-finger Sign of the Cross (going to the right first) - but also mentions the use of the whole hand. (Eastern Catholics often reprinted this letter in their prayer-books as a way to "legitimate" their three-fingered Sign of the Cross to the Latins).

The Pope reserved the right to bless with two fingers to himself alone - later bishops and priests used the whole hand.

RC faithful observed their priests move from left to right as they gave their sacerdotal blessings and so began to imitate them - going from left to right until the practice became universal.

Oriental Churches go from left to right and I've been told this signifies the movement from darkness to light in Christ.

Alex

Incognitus,

Are you sure or you asking for some fine new vestments and a cross to match?

With Fraternal Love,
Father Anthony+

Alex,

I love it!

Porter

The rest of the story:

http://www.ewtn.com/news/index.asp

POPE ENCOURAGES FAMILY NATIVITY SCENES, CONDEMNS CHRISTMAS COMMERCIALISM
VATICAN CITY, December 12 (CNA) - Before praying his weekly Angelus in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI chided the increased commercialism surrounding Christmas, and stressed the importance of Nativity scenes in family homes.
He began his address before the prayer by criticizing "today's consumer society" saying that because of it, the Christmas season "suffers from the 'contamination' of commercialism that risks changing its true spirit, characterized by reflection, sobriety and a joy that does not come from outside, but from within."

He said that "It is, therefore, providential that the entrance door to Christmas" should be "the feast of the mother of Jesus who brings us to know, love and adore the Son of God, made man."

He challenged listeners to allow Mary "to accompany us ... with sincerity of heart and openness of spirit to recognize in the Child of Bethlehem the Son of God, Who came to earth for our redemption."

The Pope recalled that "Immediately after the feast of the Immaculate Conception, many families begin to prepare their nativity scenes, as if to relive, together with Mary, those days filled with trepidation which preceded the birth of Jesus."

He stressed the importance of the family Nativity scene, saying that bringing one into the home "can be a simple but efficacious way to present and transmit the faith to children."

"A nativity scene", he pointed out, "can help us understand the true secret of Christmas, because it speaks of the humility and the merciful goodness of Christ, Who 'though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor'."

Following Vatican tradition, the Pope concluded by blessing figures of the Child Jesus brought by Roman children, which will be used in their own nativity scenes.

"With this gesture", he said, "I invoke the help of the Lord so that all Christian families may prepare to celebrate with faith the forthcoming Christmas celebrations."

11-December-2005 -- Vatican Information Service

REFLECTION, SOBRIETY AND JOY CHARACTERIZE CHRISTMAS
VATICAN CITY, DEC 11, 2005 (VIS) - Preparation for Christmas was the central theme of Benedict XVI's reflections before praying the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.

"In today's consumer society," said the Pope, "this season unfortunately suffers from the 'contamination' of commercialism that risks changing its true spirit, characterized by reflection, sobriety and a joy that does not come from outside, but from within. It is, therefore, providential that the entrance door to Christmas" should be "the feast of the mother of Jesus who brings us to know, love and adore the Son of God, made man. Allow her, therefore, to accompany us ... with sincerity of heart and openness of spirit to recognize in the Child of Bethlehem the Son of God, Who came to earth for our redemption."

"Immediately after the feast of the Immaculate Conception, many families begin to prepare their nativity scenes, as if to relive, together with Mary, those days filled with trepidation which preceded the birth of Jesus. Bringing the nativity scene into the home can be a simple but efficacious way to present and transmit the faith to children ... A nativity scene can help us understand the true secret of Christmas, because it speaks of the humility and the merciful goodness of Christ, Who 'though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor'."

To conclude, the Holy Father blessed, according to tradition, the figures of the Child Jesus brought by the children of Rome to St. Peter's Square to place in their own nativity scenes. "With this gesture I invoke the help of the Lord so that all Christian families may prepare to celebrate with faith the forthcoming Christmas celebrations."