The Diocese of Porto has launched a guide to help families get ready for Christmas during Advent, with weekly ideas ranging from ecology to solidarity. “The journey we propose is not just a catechistic course for groups of young people or inspired by Sunday celebrations, it is targeted to all the community, especially the families: it must involve, include, welcome and spur all our devotees”, the bishop of Porto, mgr. António Francisco dos Santos, stated. The initiative, posted on the Diocese’s website, aims at helping families and communities “discover the cheerful and happy condition of Christian identity as part of a Church that is keen on building fraternity by sharing gifts, with special attention to the poorer and the weaker”. The Diocese of Porto is also aiming to “promote ecological education, a culture that respects the assets of Creation, and translate the welcoming, missionary face of the Church into feelings, attitudes and real gestures”. The symbol of the journey is the Christmas hamper, for that meaning of sharing and solidarity that Christmas inspires in believers: “We wish that every week the hamper of our generous gifts may really turn into a manger that welcomes and defends life, as the lively sign of universal mercy and salvation”, mgr. dos Santos pointed out.