Pope Francis’ 2021 Angelus message for Advent is worth recalling in the closing days before Christmas this year.
The pontiff proposed to the faithful five concrete commitments to intensely live out the remaining days of Advent and to prepare our hearts for the birth of the child Jesus through simple actions.
In his Dec. 12, 2021, address before the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the Holy Father asked the question “What can I do concretely?”
He then called on the faithful to ask themselves: “These days, as we approach Christmas, how can I do my part?”
In response, he encouraged making “a concrete commitment, even if it’s small, adapted to our life situation” and carry it out to prepare for this Christmas.
The pope suggested five commitments the faithful can make to live with faith and hope this time of joy for the arrival of the Child Jesus:
- Call a person who is alone.
- Visit an elderly or sick person.
- Do something to serve a poor person or a person in need.
- Ask for forgiveness, forgive, clear up any conflict, or pay a debt.
- Return to prayer and draw near to the forgiveness of the Lord.
“Brothers and sisters, let’s find a concrete thing and do it! May the Virgin, in whose womb God became flesh, help us,” he prayed.
