On Tuesday morning, December 23rd, the Christmas Journey of the workers of the Vedruna School of San Felipe, organized by the Pastoral team, was held at the Schoenstatt Wayside Shrine, located in Rinconada de Los Andes. The meeting took place mostly outdoors, favoring an atmosphere of recollection, connection and contemplation, and concluded in a hall arranged around a manger, the central sign of the Christmas celebration.
The main theme of the day was born again, inviting the participants to a personal and communitarian process of renewal in three fundamental dimensions of life: the relationship with creation, with others and with God. From the initial welcome – marked by a simple atmosphere, Christmas music and natural elements – it was proposed to stop the daily rhythm and to prepare oneself interiorly to live Christmas as an opportunity for a new beginning.
The first dimension, centered on the relationship with creation, was experienced through a contemplative walk in silence, which invited to connect with nature, one’s own body and breath. Through personal questions and symbolic gestures with natural elements, it was proposed to reconcile with the rhythms of life, to recognize one’s own roots and to open oneself to that which wishes to be reborn in each person.
The second dimension, oriented to the relationship with others, invited us to look at bonds beyond the work environment, placing shared life, gratitude, forgiveness and mutual care at the center. Working in groups made it possible to share personal experiences, dialogue based on trust and discover aspects of each other’s lives that usually remain hidden, thus favoring a more human and closer encounter. In this space, each participant creatively elaborated a symbolic present, decorating a candle that was later given to another person of the community during the final prayer, according to a previously assigned name, as a concrete sign of encounter, care and fraternity.
The third dimension invited to be born again in God, through the Word, silence and prayer. He highlighted the dynamics of the inner manger, which allowed each staff member to recognize what he or she wishes to be born in his or her heart this Christmas.
Throughout the day, the song “Abre tu jardín” (Open your garden) accompanied different moments, animating with music and corporal gestures an experience lived with joy, participation and hope. Its message– “I bring good news, newness without end”-resounded as a constant invitation to open our hearts to God’s action.
The day concluded with a community prayer, in which the three dimensions worked on were integrated, expressing the shared desire that the experience would not remain just a memory, but would be translated into concrete attitudes in daily life. As a final gesture, each participant had the opportunity to hold in their hands the image of the Child Jesus and contemplate it in silence. This simple and profound sign reinforced the invitation to open a space in one’s own heart for Jesus to be born again, welcoming his light, peace and love in personal and community life.
This meeting was a valuable space for pause, interiority and meaning, which allowed the workers to reconnect with what is essential, renew their spirit and prepare themselves to welcome the birth of Jesus as light and hope for personal and community life.
Prof. Gleny Acevedo Estay
