VATICAN CITY, DEC. 25, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is expressing the wish that this Christmas, all people will find true happiness in the Baby Jesus.

The Pope affirmed this today after imparting the blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city of Rome and the world).

Speaking in Italian to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, as well as all those listening on radio and television, the Pontiff underlined the "new hope" brought by Christ's birth.

The contemplation of the "poor and lowly cave in Bethlehem," he said, can teach families and communities a "simple, transparent and welcoming way of life, full of gestures of love and forgiveness."

The Pontiff extended Christmas greetings in 65 languages. In English, he said: "May the birth of the Prince of Peace remind the world where its true happiness lies; and may your hearts be filled with hope and joy, for the Savior has been born for us."

 

Wishing you merry Christmas with the Pope

ZENIT wants to wish you a merry Christmas this year with the same words that Benedict XVI has used to send his greetings to his friends and collaborators: "Today, Light shines upon us because the Lord has been born for us."
The Holy Father's message is accompanied by a Nativity image from a stain-glassed window in his private chapel.

 

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 25, 2009 (Zenit.org).- For a world in financial and moral crisis, the Baby Jesus is a light in the darkness, Benedict XVI is affirming.

The Pope stated this today in his traditional Christmas message, which he delivered today at noon from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

"The light of that first Christmas was like a fire kindled in the night," he said. "All about there was darkness, while in the cave there shone the true light."

"God loves to light little lights, so as then to illuminate vast spaces," the Pontiff affirmed.

This is the history of the Church, he said, which began its journey "in the lowly cave of Bethlehem, and down the centuries it has become a people and a source of light for humanity."

"Today too," the Holy Father affirmed, "in those who encounter that Child, God still kindles fires in the night of the world, calling men and women everywhere to acknowledge in Jesus the 'sign' of his saving and liberating presence and to extend the 'us' of those who believe in Christ to the whole of mankind."

"Wherever there is an 'us' that welcomes God's love, there the light of Christ shines forth, even in the most difficult situations," he added.

"The Church does not fear," Benedict XVI said, "for that Child is its strength."

He continued: "But she does not keep him for herself: She offers him to all those who seek him with a sincere heart, to the earth's lowly and afflicted, to the victims of violence, and to all who yearn for peace.

"Today too, on behalf of a human family profoundly affected by a grave financial crisis, yet even more by a moral crisis, and by the painful wounds of wars and conflicts, the Church, in faithful solidarity with mankind, repeats with the shepherds: 'Let us go to Bethlehem,' for there we shall find our hope."

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On ZENIT's Web page:

Full text: http://zenit.org/article-27950?l=english

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 25, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Here is a Vatican translation of Benedict XVI's Christmas message, which he gave today at noon from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Rome and throughout the world,
and all men and women, whom the Lord loves!

"Lux fulgebit hodie super nos,
quia natus est nobis Dominus.

A light will shine on us this day,
the Lord is born for us"

(Roman Missal, Christmas, Entrance Antiphon for the Mass at Dawn)

The liturgy of the Mass at Dawn reminded us that the night is now past, the day has begun; the light radiating from the cave of Bethlehem shines upon us.

The Bible and the Liturgy do not, however, speak to us about a natural light, but a different, special light, which is somehow directed to and focused upon "us", the same "us" for whom the Child of Bethlehem "is born". This "us" is the Church, the great universal family of those who believe in Christ, who have awaited in hope the new birth of the Saviour, and who today celebrate in mystery the perennial significance of this event.

At first, beside the manger in Bethlehem, that "us" was almost imperceptible to human eyes. As the Gospel of Saint Luke recounts, it included, in addition to Mary and Joseph, a few lowly shepherds who came to the cave after hearing the message of the Angels. The light of that first Christmas was like a fire kindled in the night. All about there was darkness, while in the cave there shone the true light "that enlightens every man" (Jn 1:9). And yet all this took place in simplicity and hiddenness, in the way that God works in all of salvation history. God loves to light little lights, so as then to illuminate vast spaces. Truth, and Love, which are its content, are kindled wherever the light is welcomed; they then radiate in concentric circles, as if by contact, in the hearts and minds of all those who, by opening themselves freely to its splendour, themselves become sources of light. Such is the history of the Church: she began her journey in the lowly cave of Bethlehem, and down the centuries she has become a People and a source of light for humanity. Today too, in those who encounter that Child, God still kindles fires in the night of the world, calling men and women everywhere to acknowledge in Jesus the "sign" of his saving and liberating presence and to extend the "us" of those who believe in Christ to the whole of mankind.

Wherever there is an "us" which welcomes God's love, there the light of Christ shines forth, even in the most difficult situations. The Church, like the Virgin Mary, offers the world Jesus, the Son, whom she herself has received as a gift, the One who came to set mankind free from the slavery of sin. Like Mary, the Church does not fear, for that Child is her strength. But she does not keep him for herself: she offers him to all those who seek him with a sincere heart, to the earth's lowly and afflicted, to the victims of violence, and to all who yearn for peace. Today too, on behalf of a human family profoundly affected by a grave financial crisis, yet even more by a moral crisis, and by the painful wounds of wars and conflicts, the Church, in faithful solidarity with mankind, repeats with the shepherds: "Let us go to Bethlehem" (Lk 2:15), for there we shall find our hope.

The "us" of the Church is alive in the place where Jesus was born, in the Holy Land, inviting its people to abandon every logic of violence and vengeance, and to engage with renewed vigour and generosity in the process which leads to peaceful coexistence. The "us" of the Church is present in the other countries of the Middle East. How can we forget the troubled situation in Iraq and the "little flock" of Christians which lives in the region? At times it is subject to violence and injustice, but it remains determined to make its own contribution to the building of a society opposed to the logic of conflict and the rejection of one's neighbour. The "us" of the Church is active in Sri Lanka, in the Korean peninsula and in the Philippines, as well as in the other countries of Asia, as a leaven of reconciliation and peace. On the continent of Africa she does not cease to lift her voice to God, imploring an end to every injustice in the Democratic Republic of Congo; she invites the citizens of Guinea and Niger to respect for the rights of every person and to dialogue; she begs those of Madagascar to overcome their internal divisions and to be mutually accepting; and she reminds all men and women that they are called to hope, despite the tragedies, trials and difficulties which still afflict them. In Europe and North America, the "us" of the Church urges people to leave behind the selfish and technicist mentality, to advance the common good and to show respect for the persons who are most defenceless, starting with the unborn. In Honduras she is assisting in process of rebuilding institutions; throughout Latin America, the "us" of the Church is a source of identity, a fullness of truth and of charity which no ideology can replace, a summons to respect for the inalienable rights of each person and his or her integral development, a proclamation of justice and fraternity, a source of unity.

In fidelity to the mandate of her Founder, the Church shows solidarity with the victims of natural disasters and poverty, even within opulent societies. In the face of the exodus of all those who migrate from their homelands and are driven away by hunger, intolerance or environmental degradation, the Church is a presence calling others to an attitude of acceptance and welcome. In a word, the Church everywhere proclaims the Gospel of Christ, despite persecutions, discriminations, attacks and at times hostile indifference. These, in fact, enable her to share the lot of her Master and Lord.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, how great a gift it is to be part of a communion which is open to everyone! It is the communion of the Most Holy Trinity, from whose heart Emmanuel, Jesus, "God with us", came into the world. Like the shepherds of Bethlehem, let us contemplate, filled with wonder and gratitude, this mystery of love and light! Happy Christmas to all!

© Copyright 2009 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana

BETHLEHEM, DEC. 25, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Here is the homily delivered by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Fouad Twal, during Midnight Mass in Bethlehem.

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

"While they were [in Bethlehem], the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger." (Luke 2:6-7)

On behalf of the Child of Bethlehem, born in the shelter of a poor cave, and on behalf of many children, like him, born homeless and in refugee camps, I wish to welcome you with the very words the angels spoke to the shepherds: "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And this is the token for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger" (Luke 2: 10 to 12). We hope for this to happen again in the today that belongs to God, starting from this city and this cave and the manger towards which we will, in a moment, carry the divine child in procession!

"Today is born to [us] a Savior" (Lk 2:11); come, let us adore him (Psalm 95:6)"

"Born to us today"... The word "today", that Heaven spoke to Earth two thousand years ago, is our today and it is also today for all men of all times, because "Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13: 8). Time for men is a fleeting moment while for God time is a continuous now, for the Lord is being par excellence; He is the One Who Is (Exodus 3: 14). Christ, the Word of God is "the one who was and is" (Rev. 1:8). And today once again Our Lord and Savior is born among us.

The birth of Jesus today requires a radical change in the lives of human beings: "a great light" has shone upon us, we who are "sitting in darkness and the shadow of death" (Luke 1:79). This is the light of universal love. Our hearts often prefer to limit themselves to loving those nearest to us: the love of parents towards their children and coreligionists among themselves. This particular love is called to grow wider to the very dimensions of the word, because the measure of love should be to love without measure. Peace and non-violence should replace hatred, war and violence; spirit should prevail over matter; openness to others, hospitality and availability towards them should break down the walls of separation and isolation, to proclaim "Glory to God in the highest heavens" and achieve "peace on earth to men of goodwill" (Luke 2:14).

"And the Word became flesh" (John 1: 14). This is the greatest event in human history: the word of God became man in "the fullness of time" (Gal 4:4). God took on a human face. He became man, to raise men and women to Himself! This mystery of incarnation, which is beyond our understanding, is the heart of our Christian faith. It is part of the divine plan for salvation and redemption of mankind. Amazed by this mystery, the apostles and the disciples proclaimed it forcefully with their words and the spilling of their blood.

The humility of the Word of God become flesh is for us a constant exhortation and a cure for pride. The eternal Word humbled himself, abandoned his divine prerogatives and grandeur (Philipians 2:6-7) and chose to be born a poor child in a manger. If he had appeared in the glory of his divinity, he would have blinded us, and we would not have considered him one of us, a member of our human family. His modest birth is an example for us. If God became as the poorest of the poor and needy among the needy, can there then be any other way forward in our journey toward eternal happiness, than overcoming our pride and practicing the humility and simplicity encouraged by the example of one who, "though he was rich, yet... became poor, so that by his poverty [we] might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9)? He thus founded the principles of sharing and solidarity. The financial problems affecting the world today stem from the fact that the world has forgotten the poor. Christmas has always been a cry that has disturbed the conscience of the materialistic world, which rests on its first principles of competitiveness and an unbridled race to enrichment at the expense of the poor. When men refuse to share worldly goods in a spirit of solidarity, money becomes and idol; and then they must pay for their separation from God. Following the recent downturn in the global economy and the crisis of unemployment, it is time that the world accept the primacy of the values of moderation and sharing. These values alone are able to revive the global economy. Indeed, "what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?" (Matthew 16: 26).

Jesus Christ in his homeland

On behalf of all the faithful of the parishes of Jordan, Palestine, Israel and Cyprus, and on behalf of the faithful of Bethlehem, the fellow citizens of Jesus, I address myself to all believers throughout the world, and I urge them to pray for this Holy Land. It is a land that suffers and that hopes. Its inhabitants are brothers who see each other as enemies. When will we realize that a land deserves the adjective "holy" only when the man who lives there becomes holy? This land will deserve to be called "holy" when she breathes freedom, justice, love, reconciliation, peace and security.

Besides, how can we experience the joy of Christmas, while we continue to see the drama that accompanied the historic Birth of Christ? Christ had no home in Bethlehem and many of our fellow citizens are homeless because of the unrighteousness of men; hundreds of thousands of people have emigrated to seek a better quality of life because of the difficulty of living in this country and the insecurity; others are attempting to leave the land of their forefathers, the land sanctified by the mystery of the Incarnation of God.

How are we to feel the joy and celebration as we commemorate the first anniversary of the war and the tragedy of Gaza? The siege of the city is stifling the freedom of movement and transport is hindered. Many families are separated.

However, nothing keeps us from singing and invoking the Lord: "O that thou wouldst rend the heavens and come down!" (Isaiah 63:19) "Rorate coeli desuper and Nuber pluant justum" ("Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the skies rain down righteousness!" Catholic Advent Liturgy). Lord, you are Emmanuel, "God with us" (Matthew 1:23). We too want to be with you. May you, by the star of your grace, lead towards your "manger" men in conflict and government leaders who have the power to decide and who hold the destiny of mankind in their hands. May they know the whole Christmas message, a message that teaches humility, and at the same time restores to man his dignity as son of God!

On Christmas night, with all men of good will, we pray for peace. We beg for a peace different from what world promises or gives us. The world's peace is based on force and violence. We seek God's peace based on justice and human dignity. Our spirits moved by the evils that exist in the world, the conflicts of interest, the duplicity, the silence of right reason, the arms race and the possession of destructive weapons, we ask the Child of Bethlehem, thinking of all homeless children left to themselves in the alleys of refugee camps, for the sun of justice, love and life to rise over our land and put to flight the specter of death and destruction. (Malachi 3:20) May our children and the children of Gaza experience celebration and the joy of decorating and lighting the Christmas tree, symbol of life and the hope to live.

Oh Child of Bethlehem, we are tired of our situation, tired of waiting and tired of speeches and promises, conferences, deadlines and negotiations!

Oh Child of Bethlehem, give us your patience, your love and your kindness! We ask you that during this new year hands might clasp each other in concord, intentions might be purified, that hearts love one another, divisions disappear, and walls be demolished. And that in their place be built bridges of understanding and reconciliation!

Dear brothers and beloved children,

May the grace and love of God for people of all faiths and nationalities aid us in the pursuit of peace. Let each person in his own domain labor for the coming of the kingdom of God, "the kingdom of love and justice" (Preface to the Feast of Christ the King).

May we see in every man, woman or child, the very face of that son of this land, our fellow citizen who said: "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God" (Mathew 5:5, 5:7, 5:9).

Merry Christmas!

† Fouad Twal, Patriarch

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 25, 2009 (Zenit.org).- For a world in financial and moral crisis, the Baby Jesus is a light in the darkness, Benedict XVI is affirming.

The Pope stated this today in his traditional Christmas message, which he delivered today at noon from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

"The light of that first Christmas was like a fire kindled in the night," he said. "All about there was darkness, while in the cave there shone the true light."

"God loves to light little lights, so as then to illuminate vast spaces," the Pontiff affirmed.

This is the history of the Church, he said, which began its journey "in the lowly cave of Bethlehem, and down the centuries it has become a people and a source of light for humanity."

"Today too," the Holy Father affirmed, "in those who encounter that Child, God still kindles fires in the night of the world, calling men and women everywhere to acknowledge in Jesus the 'sign' of his saving and liberating presence and to extend the 'us' of those who believe in Christ to the whole of mankind."

"Wherever there is an 'us' that welcomes God's love, there the light of Christ shines forth, even in the most difficult situations," he added.

"The Church does not fear," Benedict XVI said, "for that Child is its strength."

He continued: "But she does not keep him for herself: She offers him to all those who seek him with a sincere heart, to the earth's lowly and afflicted, to the victims of violence, and to all who yearn for peace.

"Today too, on behalf of a human family profoundly affected by a grave financial crisis, yet even more by a moral crisis, and by the painful wounds of wars and conflicts, the Church, in faithful solidarity with mankind, repeats with the shepherds: 'Let us go to Bethlehem,' for there we shall find our hope."

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On ZENIT's Web page:

Full text: http://zenit.org/article-27950?l=english

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 25, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Today a great light and hope entered the world, but humility is needed in order to see and accept it, said Benedict XVI in his traditional Christmas message.

The Pope affirmed this today from the central balcony at St. Peter's. He gave a Christmas greeting in 63 languages then gave his blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city of Rome and the world).

"The birth of a child normally brings a light of hope to those who are waiting anxiously," the Holy Father said. "When Jesus was born in the stable at Bethlehem, a 'great light' appeared on earth; a great hope entered the hearts of those who awaited him: in the words of today's Christmas liturgy, 'lux magna.'

"Admittedly it was not 'great' in the manner of this world. [...] Yet, in the shadows and silence of that holy night, a great and inextinguishable light shone forth for every man; the great hope that brings happiness entered into the world.

The Pontiff reflected on the mystery of Christmas as the coming of light into the world.

"The creative Word of God is light, the source of life. All things were made through the Logos, not one thing had its being but through him," he said. "That is why all creatures are fundamentally good and bear within themselves the stamp of God, a spark of his light.

"Nevertheless, when Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, the Light himself came into the world. [...] In Jesus, God assumed what he was not, while remaining what he was: 'Omnipotence entered an infant's body and did not cease to govern the universe.'

"The Creator of man became man in order to bring peace to the world. For this reason, during Christmas night, the hosts of angels sing: 'Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to those whom he loves.'

Humility

Benedict XVI said the light of Christ is the bearer of peace. Quoting the entrance antiphon of Christmas Midnight Mass, he said, "Today true peace has come down to us from heaven."

He continued: "Indeed, it is only the 'great' light manifested in Christ that can give 'true' peace to men: That is why every generation is called to welcome it, to welcome the God who in Bethlehem became one of us.

"This is Christmas -- the historical event and the mystery of love, which for more than 2,000 years has spoken to men and women of every era and every place. It is the holy day on which the 'great light' of Christ shines forth, bearing peace!"

If we are to recognize the light, the Pope affirmed, "faith is needed and humility is needed."

Humility, he said, like that of "Mary, who believed in the word of the Lord and, bending low over the manger, was the first to adore the fruit of her womb; the humility of Joseph, the just man, who had the courage of faith and preferred to obey God rather than to protect his own reputation; the humility of the shepherds, the poor and anonymous shepherds, who received the proclamation of the heavenly messenger and hastened toward the stable, where they found the newborn child and worshipped him, full of astonishment, praising God."

"The little ones, the poor in spirit: They are the key figures of Christmas, in the past and in the present," the Pope said. "They have always been the key figures of God's history, the indefatigable builders of his Kingdom of justice, love and peace."

 

By Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap

ROME, DEC. 24, 2007 (Zenit.org).- An ancient custom for the feast of Christmas foresees three Masses, called respectively "at night," "at dawn," "during the day." In each Mass, through readings that vary, a different aspect of the mystery is presented, in such a way that we get, so to speak, a three-dimensional vision.

The Gospel of the Mass at night focuses on the event, on the historical fact. This is described with disconcerting simplicity, without any apparatus -- three or four lines of humble and familiar words to describe the absolutely most important event in the history of the world, the coming of God to earth.

The task of bringing to light the significance and importance of this event is given, by the Evangelist, to the song intoned by the angels, after having made proclamation to the shepherds: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." In the past this expression was translated differently, that is, as "Peace on earth to men of good will." In these words the expression entered into the Gloria and it became common in Christian language. After Vatican II this expression was used to indicate all the honest, who seek the true and the common good, whether or not they be believers.

But it is an inexact translation and for this reason it has been abandoned today. In the original biblical text it is a matter of men who are loved by God, who are the object of the divine good will, not that they themselves are gifted with good will. In this way the proclamation becomes more consoling. If peace were accorded to men on account of their good will, then it would be limited to a few, to those who merit it; but since it is accorded through God's good will, through grace, it is offered to all. Christmas is not an appeal to the good will of men but a radiant proclamation of the good will of God toward men.

The key word, then, for understanding the angelic proclamation is the last one, that which speaks of the "favor" of God toward men, as font and origin of all that which God began to accomplish at Christmas. He predestined us to be his adopted sons "in accord with the favor of his will," the apostle writes; he made known to us the mystery of his will, according to what he foreordained "in accord with his favor" (Ephesians 1:5,9). Christmas is the supreme epiphany of that which the Scripture calls God's philanthropy, that is, his love for men: "The goodness of God and his love for men are manifested" (Titus 3:4).

Only after having contemplated the "good will" of God toward us can we concern ourselves also with the "good will" of men, that is, with our response to the mystery of Christmas. This good will must be expressed through imitation of God's action. Imitating the mystery that we celebrate means abandoning every thought of justifying ourselves on our own, every remembrance of wrongs done to us, erasing from our hearts all resentment toward others, even justified resentment. It means not willingly allowing any hostile thought against anyone, whether against neighbors or those far away, the weak, the strong, the little, the great of the earth, or against any creature that exists in the world. This is what it means to honor the birth of the Lord, because God did not hold onto any rancor, he did not look at the wrong done to him, he did not wait for others to take the first step to him. If this is not always possible during the rest of the year, let us at least do it at Christmas. Thus Christmas will be truly the feast of goodness.

[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]

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Father Raniero Cantalamessa is the Pontifical Household preacher. The readings for Christmas Mass at Midnight are Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14.

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