the spirit of the feast must reign over the atmosphere. Have you, dear mother, spent even a little time before the feast inquiring into what occupies the little mind? Have you made the little ones understand the spirit of the feast? Have you tried to purge your children of envy, greed, and pride? Have you bound up some small wound in the heart of one of them with sweet words? Have you made the little ones feel that you and their father belong to them on the day of the feast, and that your friends will not succeed in wresting the two of you away from them, even if they set the gaming table for you? Have you played with the children, told them stories, and listened to their stories? Have you prayed with your children at home or at church? Have you reminded them of the poor, deprived of what they themselves enjoy? Have you taught them the words of the Lord of the feast? Have you explained to them the meaning of "Love your neighbor as yourself, and treat people as you would have them treat you"? If you have not done this, the feast remains a feast — but your house does not hold a family at a feast.
I can understand people spending New Year's Eve in the pleasure halls and the dance halls, greeting it with joy and laughter; but that they should spend Christmas Eve in the field of frivolity, that I cannot understand at all. Christmas has a religious meaning in which love, sacrifice, and purity are embodied. Let the parents spend it with their children, who are among God's blessings; and let the little ones spend it with their parents, who are also among God's blessings.