Alberto Reyes Encourages Cubans to Celebrate Christmas Amidst Despair: "How Much Longer?"

The Cuban priest, Alberto Reyes, has urged his fellow citizens to observe Christmas, despite the severe crisis affecting the majority on the island, where few find reasons to celebrate. Reyes, a staunch critic of the regime, emphasized that beyond the trappings associated with this time of year—lights, gifts, family dinners, carols, and parties—the true essence of Christmas is honoring the arrival of the Savior, a divine presence all should follow to overcome evil and build a better humanity.

Cubans are encouraged to celebrate the God who represents light, even when homes are shrouded in darkness due to power outages; the God of truth amidst a sea of lies, empty promises, and outdated rhetoric; the God of freedom in a land increasingly filled with political prisoners; and the God of hope, despite the persistent, unanswered question: "How much longer?"

Reflecting on the Essence of Christmas

CiberCuba shared the full text of Reyes's publication titled "I've Been Thinking... (XCVI)" by Alberto Reyes Pías, where he reflects on the upcoming Christmas season.

One aspect of human nature is creating a context for events. Birthdays, wedding anniversaries, childbirth, Mother's or Father's Day, and even the passing of a loved one are adorned with symbols, gestures, and acts that highlight what is being commemorated.

This practice extends to religious events as well: baptisms, first communions, and weddings are not confined to the act itself but are embellished in numerous ways to enhance their significance. Christmas, in particular, is a time that generates an abundance of symbols—lights, gifts, feasts, songs, celebrations, and gatherings of all kinds.

Embracing the Spirit Despite Challenges

While these symbols can distract from the core meaning, it is possible to avoid this, and regardless of the accompanying festivities, the essence of Christmas remains: the arrival of the Savior who chose to become vulnerable to unite with us and aid us in overcoming evil and building a better world.

We can always celebrate this spirit, and we will. We will rejoice in the God of light amidst the overwhelming and desperate darkness of our homes, and the darkness clouding the minds and hearts of our leaders, who are unable to comprehend this light.

We will celebrate the God of unity in a nation divided between those who have chosen freedom and declared, "Enough!" and those who continue to support the oppressive hand that tightens around their throats, choosing to march toward oblivion.

Finding Hope in Despair

We will honor the God of truth amidst a sea of lies, empty promises, and obsolete and absurd speeches. We will celebrate the God of freedom in a repressive environment, where prisons are increasingly filled with political detainees under the watchful eyes of those intent on turning this island into a massive, stifling concentration camp.

We will celebrate the God of unity from the pain of missing loved ones—children, parents, grandchildren, spouses, friends—who have left and may never return, emigrating to seek a dignified life and provide for those left behind, at the cost of being separated by the relentless sea.

We will celebrate the God of hope amidst the desert, the night, the void, amidst a barren and lightless horizon, amidst the same recurring question: "How much longer, how much longer, how much longer...?"

But we will celebrate because Christmas, though adorned with beautiful trappings, is much more. It is the profound experience of the God who speaks to the heart, sustains us through trials, nourishes hope, and enlightens the soul. This God comes, always comes, and what He inspires in the soul can never be extinguished by any human chain.