Christmas, between tradition and reality
France, by celebrating Christmas, commemorates the nativity, the birth of Jésus Christ. It is one of the most important end-of-year holidays for Christians, but not only. Because France is, indeed, the eldest daughter of the Church.
An element reaffirmed in the speech on the vocation of the French nation by the Dominican priest Lacordaire, which he had delivered in the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, which has just reopened its doors on December 7, after five years of work. The choice of the date of Christmas (December 25) is attributed to Constantin, Roman emperor, who converted to Christianity in the 4th century AD. He wished for all Romans to do the same.
As Eric Zemmour would say: "In Rome, do as the Romans"!
Since its appropriation by Christian culture, Christmas has become a religious holiday. Its message of peace has a profound cultural impact in our society, inviting reflection on essential values (encouraging solidarity and empathy towards others, compassion, generosity, and peace).
The shadow of persecution
Yet, the NGO Portes Ouvertes reports a catastrophic assessment: "This is a year marked by violence against Christians. 365 million Christians are persecuted and discriminated against in the world. This represents one in seven Christians who do not enjoy religious freedom.
In 2023, 4,998 Christians were killed (more than 13 per day), 3,906 were kidnapped (including 3,300 in Nigeria), and 4,125 are detained, more than half of them in Inde. Nigeria, where a massacre left 200 dead during Christmas 2023, is particularly singled out.
In twenty countries since 2015, Red Week raises awareness about the persecution of Christians worldwide. Thus, Notre-Dame de Paris was illuminated in red on November 20. Red is the color of the blood of martyrs.
"Our first mission is to raise awareness about the persecution of Christians in the world, which is increasing amidst general indifference," explains Benoît de Blanpré, director of the Église en détresse (AED) behind this initiative.
The confectioners' truce, a bygone concept?
Dark forces and irresponsible individuals are pushing for war everywhere on the planet, whether on the Russian-Ukrainian front, in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, or in Arménie. In short, we are a far cry from a truce, from the one who gave his life for our sins and from his message of love: "Love one another, as I have loved you."
As for the famous confectioners' truce that we hear so much about in the media, listening to them, the expression could make one believe that the confectioners are going to rest. In fact, it is quite the opposite! Rather, it is a political truce during the Christmas holiday and the celebration of the New Year.
In an already distant past, it aimed to give free rein to the economy and not harm retail trade. This is no longer really relevant. In the Assemblée nationale also, the famous confectioners' truce has disappeared. The political debate is mediocre and sometimes violent, with an insignificant level of parliamentarians. The idea of a truce no longer makes sense! What for, anyway?
In the meantime, the Gazette du Var team wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Bernard Bertucco Van Damme