In a few days it will be Christmas, “God with us”
Proximity at the heart of Christmas: being “neighborly” to reestablish community bonding
This holiday transcends mere decorations and family gatherings. It invites us to a deep reflection on our relationship with others, to a true embodiment of closeness and solidarity. It is a time to step out of our comfort zones, our homes and our routines and reach out to those who need us. This celebration of God becoming man calls us not only to be receptive to divine love but also to be active carriers of it within our communities.
In a world marked by individualism and social fractures, this invitation to closeness becomes a powerful remedy for healing the wounds in the community fabric.
The story of Christ’s birth is one of a God who becomes close to humanity. Choosing to be born in a humble manger, he manifests an unconditional and universal love, accessible to all, regardless of social rank. The shepherds, marginalized in their time, were among the first to receive the news of this extraordinary birth. This gesture underscores a fundamental truth: God is close to the least, to the excluded, to those whom society forgets.
This message remains searing even today. At this time when inequalities are growing, where loneliness is becoming a silent plague, it is imperative to respond to the call of proximity. Christmas should not be limited to isolated gestures of generosity, but should inspire a lasting movement of presence and care toward others.
Being “neighbor,” in the biblical sense, implies more than just passive benevolence. It is an active commitment to the needs of the other, an overcoming of self to enter into the life of the other. Jesus illustrates this closeness in the parable of the Good Samaritan, which teaches us that true love of neighbor transcends cultural, religious and social boundaries. Proximity as a movement of descent toward the other, following the example of Jesus who descends from heaven to earth and shares with us the hunger, joys and sorrows of the human condition.
This dynamic of “becoming a neighbor” begins with a concrete step: leaving our homes, our habits and daring to go out to meet those who are suffering, those who feel isolated. And we know that this closeness can take many forms: visiting a lonely elderly person, welcoming a neighbor in need, or even offering a moment of human warmth to those going through trials. It is these simple but meaningful gestures that embody the spirit of Christmas and repair the cracks in the community fabric.
One of the essential dimensions of proximity is sharing. Sharing is not only giving material goods, but also making oneself available, offering one’s time and listening. In our territorial and parish communities, this can translate into concrete initiatives such as solidarity meals, collections for families in need, or moments of exchange and prayer with those who feel excluded.
Sharing creates a space where barriers fall and true brotherhood is born. It allows us to forge authentic bonds based on the recognition of the dignity of each person. At Christmas, this sharing becomes a way to make visible God’s closeness among us.
Our contemporary societies are marked by multiple fractures: isolation of the elderly, exclusion of migrants, marginalization of people in precarious situations, and many others. These “social interstices,” these areas where loneliness and abandonment take hold, are all challenges for our communities. These are the areas where we are called to witness and activate works of mercy.
To be present in these interstices is to respond to Christ’s call to go to the peripheries. It is about stepping out of our comfort zones to meet those who live in these spaces of exclusion. It is in these places that the true meaning of proximity is at stake. Christmas invites us to make these interstices spaces of encounter and reconciliation, to reweave the bonds broken by indifference and distrust.
For proximity to become a way of life and not an exception, it is essential to build communities based on caring and presence. In our parishes and neighborhoods, in our congregations…. This involves creating lasting relationships where everyone feels welcomed and valued. This requires a collective effort, but also a personal transformation: learning to see the other not as a stranger, but as a brother or sister.
This daily attention can manifest itself through simple gestures: checking how a neighbor is doing, offering a smile to someone you meet on the street or engaging in community actions. It is in these small gestures, repeated day after day, that a true culture of proximity is built.
Christmas is also an opportunity to rediscover the joy of self-giving. By becoming man, Christ shows us that true love is an unreserved gift. This gift is not measured in quantity, but in quality: it is about giving oneself, one’s time, one’s attention, one’s listening.
In a world often focused on the pursuit of self-interest, this gift of self may seem “counter-cultural.” Yet it is He who gives deep meaning to our lives and brings us closer to our Christian vocation. In Christmas, this gift of self becomes a living witness to Christ’s love, a concrete means of letting His light shine in the darkness.
Merry Christmas of closeness and mercy to all.
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- Rodrigue Bidubula