I thoroughly enjoyed reading Pope Benedict XVI’s Christmas messages this holiday season. I thought I would reprint some of them here and link to the full text or 2005 and 2007 for those who are interested.
At Christmas, the Almighty becomes a child and asks for our help and protection. His way of showing that he is God challenges our way of being human.
By knocking at our door, he challenges us and our freedom; he calls us to examine how we understand and live our lives. The modern age is often seen as an awakening of reason from its slumbers, humanity’s enlightenment after an age of darkness. Yet without the light of Christ, the light of reason is not sufficient to enlighten humanity and the world.
For this reason, the words of the Christmas Gospel: “the true Light that enlightens every man was coming into this world” (Jn 1:9) resound now more than ever as a proclamation of salvation. “It is only in the mystery of the Word made flesh that the mystery of humanity truly becomes clear” (Gaudium et Spes, 22).
He began His message quoting the angel announcing Jesus’ birth, found in Luke 2: “I bring you good news of a great joy … for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” The entire message isn’t much longer and worth the read.
Then, in this year’s message, not only does he proclaim Jesus as Lord, but he also reminds us of the call to peace as we follow the Prince of Peace.
On this day of peace, my thoughts turn especially to those places where the grim sound of arms continues to reverberate; to the tortured regions of Darfur, Somalia, the north of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia; to the whole of the Middle East – especially Iraq, Lebanon and the Holy Land; to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, to the Balkans and to many other crisis situations that unfortunately are frequently forgotten. May the Child Jesus bring relief to those who are suffering and may he bestow upon political leaders the wisdom and courage to seek and find humane, just and lasting solutions. To the thirst for meaning and value so characteristic of today’s world, to the search for prosperity and peace that marks the lives of all mankind, to the hopes of the poor: Christ – true God and true Man – responds with his Nativity. Neither individuals nor nations should be afraid to recognize and welcome him: with Him “a shining light†brightens the horizon of humanity; in him “a holy day†dawns that knows no sunset. May this Christmas truly be for all people a day of joy, hope and peace!
My prayer is that we would see more unity among those who serve Jesus as Lord.
God bless! Jesus Christ is Lord!!