I was so inspired by this letter from Pope Benedict XVI himself when he was 7.
This simple, but very meaningful letter truly affirmed me to "keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas". I do intend to continue to share this to my children for years to come, and hope that they may discover through the pureness and innocence of their hearts that the the only true reason to celebrate this season is CHRIST.
Christmas letter, written by seven-year-old Joseph Ratzinger to Baby Jesus in 1934:
Dear Baby Jesus, quickly come down to earth. You will bring joy to children.
Also bring me joy. I would like a Volks-Schott, green clothing for Mass and a heart of Jesus. I will always be good.
Greetings from Joseph Ratzinger
What these gifts meant (according to CNA - Catholic News Agency):
1. Volks-Schott - one of the first prayer books with the missal in German and a parallel text in Latin. At the time there were two editions in the country, one for adults and one for children.
2. Green clothing for Mass - The Pope and his brothers used to play the "game of the priest," and their mother, a seamstress, would help them by making clothes similar to those worn by priests, according to an "Inside the Vatican" interview his brother, Monsignor Georg Ratzinger, gave a few years ago.
3. Heart of Jesus - referring to an image of the Sacred Heart, which his family was very devoted to.
Link to full article: Pope's Childhood Christmas Letter to Baby Jesus Published, The Catholic World Report
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