There’s something precious about watching young children experience the joy and wonder of the lights and decorations and presents under the tree. But Pope Francis does well to remind us that not all children experience these things that so many of us take for granted. Often we can’t even imagine how terrible life is for these children. This is the challenge of the Gospel, the challenge of Jesus. That challenge doesn’t go away because it’s Christmas. We don’t get a break from the reality of suffering and violence in our world. To hide our faces is to compound our guilt.