Vatican City, Dec 11, 2005 / 22:00 pm
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."