Gänswein said that on the feast days he was particularly touched by the spiritual dimension: "The solemn liturgy of the Christmas days, especially the celebration of Christmas." The liturgy opens the heart, addressing the senses. "She uniquely taps into the Christmas message."
Important customs and rituals at Christmas
His very personal view of the festival has changed in the course of life: "The look has become more intense. With gratitude, I note that the Christmas mystery has become more and more the source of deep joy and inner peace," the 69-year-old said.
Customs from his childhood also continue to play a major role for the archbishop. "All the customs that have formed around Christmas and with which I have grown up have grown to my heart: from the sensual to the spiritual," he said, calling "the common prayer for the deceased, the singing of Christmas carols, the wonderful Christmas cookies, the tasty Christmas dinner in the family, with relatives and friends."
According to Gänswein, he lacks nothing at his current place of activity Vilnius: "I have found all the Christmas customs I knew from my childhood and from Rome here in Vilnius with slight nuances." Therefore, he did not have to import anything.