François-Xavier Putallaz: «Christmas is also about symbols».»

François-Xavier Putallaz is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Fribourg, a member of the National Ethics Committee and a member of UNESCO's International Bioethics Committee.

Le Regard LibreWe're approaching the great Christmas holiday. Streets are lit up, shopping malls turn into stifling labyrinths from which we can't get out until we've found, panting madly, all the perfect gifts for our loved ones. In these frantic times, we'd love to understand the true meaning of Christmas. Could you describe what this holiday is all about?

François-Xavier Putallaz: Christmas is incredible! The birth of a human being is already magnificent, because it's the blossoming of a new life. Just think: only once in history has a man been born whose person is God himself. At Christmas, God is born as a man. He who has no beginning, He through whom all things were made, He who holds all things above nothingness, behold, He is born as a little child: poor, fragile and stripped. Christmas is the mystery of love. How can we fail to celebrate it every year? It's the most incredible event in human history!

Has Christmas become a necessity in today's economic frenzy?

It's best to avoid caricatures. If God becomes human, then he joins our humanity in its totality, including its economic dimension. What can be criticized is the almost idolatrous frenzy to monopolize goods in excess. But it's not the commercial aspect as such that's to blame: there's a need for moderation.

Just look at the eyes of a little child in front of the lights of a Christmas tree, dazzled by the candles and the golden paper of a gift given out of love: Christmas also passes through this channel, and also through the joy of giving a gift to those we love. Provided these signs reflect the mystery of love and peace.

What is responsible for the radical change in the way Christmas is perceived and celebrated in society?

First of all, it's not just about «radical change» (and with a touch of biting irony, I'm struck by such a judgment among young people who, by definition, have not been able to experience this «change»). In fact, despite its obvious excesses, Christmas remains for many people first and foremost a celebration where families get together, which is a beautiful thing. Then there are the many charitable initiatives that take advantage of the holiday to demonstrate the generosity of many people.

As for abuse, I bet families will realize that a commercial orgy or a plethora of futile gifts is becoming indecent. More and more people are realizing this: may they, through this very excess, gradually realize the true meaning of the feast: that we all need to be saved, rich or poor. And only God-with-us (Emmanuel) can save humanity. And isn't this the beginning of the Year of Mercy? Of a God at the heart of our misery, even in the misery of our commercial debauchery.

When it comes to the famous Santa Claus that makes all children dream, we wonder whether this figure is merely friendly and harmless, or whether it becomes an obstacle to a deeper meaning of Christmas. How do you approach this character? What are the issues and consequences for children of the fable of the gentle, kind and generous bearded man in red?

It's a good idea to get children dreaming: through stories and fables, they'll marvel at what we tell them (why not read them the story of the santons of Provence, or the story of the birth of Jesus: they'll be dazzled). What's important, depending on their age, is to turn them towards what's most essential and simple: the humility of Jesus. Then Santa Claus, that Coca-Cola-like figure, is no longer an obstacle: at best a lovable vehicle, at worst a funny figure.

Light and illumination take center stage in a Christmas that's more pagan than religious. How do you explain this?

In our neck of the woods, Christmas comes when the nights are longest. And at night, lights are magnificent. If they are to play their part, they must not be kitschy: it's dismaying to see the poor taste of so many «decorations». Secondly, they must remain symbolic: in the midst of our night, in the heart of our violence, but also in the midst of our joyful moments, Christmas lights say (or should say) a message of hope: God is light! May He illuminate our miseries and warm our hearts!

What is the liturgical significance of Christmas?

Back home, churches are packed at midnight mass. Some come just for that evening, others look forward to the mulled wine served at the end of the ceremony, still others find a festive atmosphere in the middle of the night, or memories of childhood. It's important that the liturgy be particularly careful (songs, lights, incense, sermon), so that all these different motivations are redirected towards the essential: Jesus is there, so poor when he's born, so neglected when he dies, so splendid when he's resurrected. And now, under the humble veil that resembles bread and wine. What humility!

It is a great mystery: «And the Word became flesh» (Jn. 1:14). How can God, the most perfect and absolute of beings, become man among men?

The question is less «how» than «why». To tell us to the very end of our human condition how unimaginably God loves us first.

In the Christian tradition, God comes to earth by infans - Latin for «child» - etymologically: one who does not speak. And we're talking about a «Word» that takes on the condition of ’child".’infans. Isn't that a paradox?

Of course, because everything is paradoxical in the mystery of Christmas! And if you say that the eternal Word doesn't «speak» in this child, why shouldn't it be up to us Christians to make ourselves spokespersons, through our voices, our gestures and even a little of our lives?

In this special edition, we take a closer look at loneliness at Christmas and the festive season in general. These are times of great suffering, and it's often the elderly who are most affected by this phenomenon. What is your analysis of this situation? What's more, when it comes to Christmas in particular, aren't the poor, the suffering and the lonely the first to be affected by this holiday, when God comes to be close to everyone?

Christmas is for everyone. Loneliness is, of course, a source of suffering. But look at the countless gestures of genuine solidarity, however discreet, at Christmas time. These are the indirect effects of Christian revelation on secular society, which is, as it were, fertilized by faith, hope and charity. Why not bet more on such outbursts of solidarity? One way would be to build on these «good wills» and let the grace of Christmas, which renews all things, work in them.