Pope Francis and preparations for a Covid Christmas

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is forcing the pope to forego beloved holiday events

The Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City, 4 December 2020. (Photo by EPA/FABIO FRUSTACI/MaxPPP)

The first victim of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has roared back with a vengeance in Italy, was pre-announced in late October when the Vatican informed foreign diplomats that they were not invited to the pope's Christmas Eve Mass.

Ambassadors accredited to the Holy See are usually expected to be present at major papal ceremonies, but this year they are being told they will not be allowed in St. Peter's Basilica for that liturgy.

In fact, just as he did during Holy Week and Easter, Francis will preside at the Christmas Masses in the presence of only a very small representation of the clergy and lay faithful.

Urbi et Orbi?

There has been no official announcement on whether the pope will give the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" address and blessing from the central outer balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at noon on Christmas Day. But it seems unlikely.

He did the Easter Day version of this blessing from inside the basilica. But residents of Rome were under home lockdown then. People are now allowed to be out and about until 10 p.m. as long as they are wearing masks and not congregating in crowds.

And there's the rub -- the Christmas Day "Urbi et Orbi" normally draws upwards of 40- or 50-thousand people to St. Peter's Square and its surrounding areas. That would seem to be in violation of current crowd restrictions.

A December 8 no-show at the Spanish Steps

The Vatican announced on November 30 that it was precisely in order to avoid drawing a huge crowd that the pope had decided to skip one of the most beloved customs of the season -- the December 8 flower tribute to Our Lady near the famous Spanish Steps in central Rome.

That event on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception has normally been the start of the Eternal City's pre-Christmas shopping season. It is also when people of Rome begin a series of "Christmas parties", concerts and carol services.

The day itself is very festive. The streets that wind through the various shopping areas teem with families, couples and groups of friends. And thousands of them converge to greet the pope for his normal afternoon visit.

That won't be happening this year.

The tree and the crib

Nonetheless, workers in Vatican City raised this year's towering Christmas Tree a few days ago in St. Peter's Square. It was recently hauled down to Rome from Slovenia.

Other craftsmen are now busy working in the tree's shadow constructing the giant Christmas Crib for the larger than life-size Nativity Scene.

The tree and crèche are about the only things that seem normal this holiday season at the Vatican.

There are still very few tourists, either from abroad or other parts of Italy. And that is not likely to change for a while. The Italian government is expected to enforce tight restrictions on movement from one region of the country to another.

And within the Vatican's walls, other activities and events are also been curtailed.

For example, the pope and his top aides usually gather in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel in the Apostolic Palace each Friday in Advent to listen to a spiritual pep-talk by the preacher of the papal household, Capuchin Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa.

But this year, due to physical distancing requirements, the Advent sermons are being held in the spacious Paul VI Hall, which is usually used for big gatherings like the pope's weekly general audience.

It's not a drab airport hangar by any means, but it is certainly a less decorative and spiritually inspiring ambience than the Redemptoris Mater Chapel with its brilliant and evocative mosaics.

"God's closeness and our watchfulness"

This year's "Covid Christmas", like our experience of Lent and Easter at the beginning of the pandemic, could actually be an opportunity for us to rediscover or better celebrate the true spirit and meaning of the season.

In fact, it is not Christmas yet. We have only just begun Advent, the time of prayerful waiting and anticipation.

The curtailment or cancellation of what would normally be so many "Christmas" activities right now, offers us the chance to use that time for truly Advent things like quiet reflection and prayer.

Pope Francis gave an excellent homily on the First Sunday of Advent, reminding us that this is the season of "God's closeness and our watchfulness".

Unfortunately, the consistory he held the day before largely deflected the focus away from Advent and onto the 13 new cardinals.

But it is a homily that should be read and meditated on to help us get more properly in tune with this Advent season.

Francis called it a time to awake from the slumber of mediocrity, indifference and lukewarmness in our relationship with God and others.

He suggested the way to do that is through the "watchfulness of charity" and "the watchfulness of prayer".

"Come, Lord Jesus, take our distracted hearts and make them watchful," he concluded. "Awaken within us the desire to pray and the need to love."

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