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                               VIS-Press releases

MAY THE BIRTH OF THE SAVIOUR BRING PEACE TO THE WORLD

VATICAN CITY, 25 DEC 2010 (VIS) - At midday today, Solemnity of the Nativity of
the Lord, the Holy Father pronounced his traditional Christmas Message from the
central loggia of the Vatican Basilica, and imparted the "Urbi et Orbi"
blessing.

Extracts of the Message are given below:

"Dear brothers and sisters listening to me here in Rome and throughout the
world, I joyfully proclaim the message of Christmas: God became man; He came to
dwell among us. God is not distant: He is 'Emmanuel', God-with-us. He is no
stranger: He has a face, the face of Jesus.

"This message is ever new, ever surprising, for it surpasses even our most
daring hope. First of all, because it is not merely a proclamation: it is an
event, a happening, which credible witnesses saw, heard and touched in the
person of Jesus of Nazareth!

"'The Word became flesh'. Before this revelation we once more wonder: how can
this be? The Word and the flesh are mutually opposed realities; how can the
eternal and almighty Word become a frail and mortal man? There is only one
answer: Love".

"God does not change; He is Love. ... Only those who are open to love are
enveloped in the light of Christmas. So it was on that night in Bethlehem, and
so it is today. The Incarnation of the Son of God is an event which occurred
within history, while at the same time transcending history".

"And what do our hearts, in effect, seek, if not a Truth which is also Love?
Children seek it with their questions, so disarming and stimulating; young
people seek it in their eagerness to discover the deepest meaning of their
life; adults seek it in order to guide and sustain their commitments in the
family and the workplace; the elderly seek it in order to grant completion to
their earthly existence".

"The proclamation of Christmas is also a light for all peoples, for the
collective journey of humanity. 'Emmanuel', God-with-us, has come as King of
justice and peace. We know that His Kingdom is not of this world, and yet it is
more important than all the kingdoms of this world. It is like the leaven of
humanity: were it lacking, the energy to work for true development would flag:
the impulse to work together for the common good, in the disinterested service
of our neighbour, in the peaceful struggle for justice. Belief in the God who
desired to share in our history constantly encourages us in our own commitment
to that history, for all its contradictions. It is a source of hope for
everyone whose dignity is offended and violated, since the One born in
Bethlehem came to set every man and woman free from the source of all
enslavement.

"May the light of Christmas shine forth anew in the Land where Jesus was born,
and inspire Israelis and Palestinians to strive for a just and peaceful
coexistence. May the comforting message of the coming of Emmanuel ease the pain
and bring consolation amid their trials to the beloved Christian communities in
Iraq and throughout the Middle East; may it bring them comfort and hope for the
future and bring the leaders of nations to show them effective solidarity. May
it also be so for those in Haiti who still suffer in the aftermath of the
devastating earthquake and the recent cholera epidemic. May the same hold true
not only for those in Colombia and Venezuela, but also in Guatemala and Costa
Rica, who recently suffered natural disasters.

"May the birth of the Saviour open horizons of lasting peace and authentic
progress for the peoples of Somalia, Darfur and Cote d'Ivoire; may it promote
political and social stability in Madagascar; may it bring security and respect
for human rights in Afghanistan and in Pakistan; may it encourage dialogue
between Nicaragua and Costa Rica; and may it advance reconciliation on the
Korean peninsula.

"May the birth of the Saviour strengthen the spirit of faith, patience and
courage of the faithful of the Church in mainland China, that they may not lose
heart through the limitations imposed on their freedom of religion and
conscience but, persevering in fidelity to Christ and his Church, may keep
alive the flame of hope. May the love of 'God-with-us' grant perseverance to
all those Christian communities enduring discrimination and persecution, and
inspire political and religious leaders to be committed to full respect for the
religious freedom of all".

Following his Message, the Pope extended Christmas greetings in sixty-five
languages and imparted his blessing "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city
and the world).
MESS/VIS 20101228 (780)

SUMMARY

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