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Pope says Christmas is God's answer to drama of humanity

Published On December 20 , 2009

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Vatican City: The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, reminds us that Christmas, "is not a children's story, but God's answer to the human drama in search of real peace": this was Benedict XVI’s message to pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square today for the Angelus. Taking inspiration from the liturgy of the day, citing the words of the prophet Micah (Mi 5:1), he asked to "look to Bethlehem, the small town of Judaea witness of the great event." He added that "... there is a divine plan that includes and explains the times and places of the coming of the Son of God in the world."

This plan, he stressed "is a plan of peace, as the prophet announced when speaking of the Messiah." Consequently, he continues, "Bethlehem is .... a city-symbol of peace in the Holy Land and throughout the world". Benedict XVI visited Bethlehem last May, during his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. And recalling those days in which he also visited a Palestinian refugee camp and witnessed the "sadness" of the Israeli security wall that divides the city from Jerusalem, the pope added: "Unfortunately, nowadays, it [Bethlehem] has not achieved a stable peace, but a peace arduously sought after and desired”.

"But God never resigns himself to this state of things, this is why this year in Bethlehem and throughout the world, the mystery of Christmas will be renewed in the Church, the prophecy of peace for every man that commits Christians to immerse themselves in the closures, the dramas, often unknown and hidden, and conflicts of the context in which we live, with the sentiments of Jesus, to become messengers and instruments of peace everywhere, to bring love where there is hatred, forgiveness where there is offence, joy where there is sadness and truth where there is error, according to the beautiful words of a famous Franciscan prayer”.

"Today, as in the time of Jesus - concluded the pope - Christmas is not a children's story, but God's answer to the human drama in search of real peace. 'He himself will be peace!' - says the prophet, referring to the Messiah. We must open wide our doors to welcome Him. Let us learn from Mary and Joseph: let us faithfully submit ourselves to God's plan even if we do not fully understand it, let us trust in His wisdom and goodness. Let us seek above all else the kingdom of God and Providence will help us. Merry Christmas to you all".

Courtesy: AsiaNews

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Subscriber comments:

Published By TheCatholic Observer

I fully agree with our Holy Father, the Pope that the birth of Christ at Christmas is not a children story- but is God's answer to us humans in search for eternal life. We have seen that in the past youths and young adults took an active part in staging Christmas pageants every year and they acted in faith and in full props. That was 30 years ago and many non-Christians were impressed about the Christmas story being re-told over and over again, yet it didn't bored anyone.Many were convinced about the love of God and the saving grace of God brought by Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world. Thus this is an evenue for evangelisation to the non-Christians. Some have embraced Christianity after understanding the Christmas Pageant, when they came and watch with the Catholic friends. Yet for many years including today- many local churches are NOT staging the Christmas Pageant before the Christmas Vigil Mass. Some have taken the easy way out by having a 30 minutes of Christmas Carols in place!. Others only managed to roped in small children for the play and stage it simple and what not the whole meaning is being downgraded into a 'Children performance'-many youths or adults are not taking it seriously and what about the non-Christians adults who came to watch at Christmas Vigil?. It becomes just a performance.What's wrong with our churches today? Why are they not getting the youths and young adults to stage a more concerted Christmas Pageant that will be heart-touching and to rekindle the flame of faith of Jesus birth to everyone who watches it? The Protestant churches are at the forefront in staging such play in stadiums and invite the public to come and know what is Christmas is all about. Yet the Catholic Church prefers to celebrate in 'private' the birthday of Jesus.Christmas is a time to evangelise and to express our beliefs in public and in the open. We should be inviting our non-Christian friends for Christmas Pageant and Vigil Mass- so that they can learn somthing they can't know about Christmas. It is not about santa- but about Christ; it is about God's love to us.Lets pray and get our priorities right so that the church came move in the right direction. Rope in the youths and young adults. Every year- in and out we see little children and nothing else at pageants in the few churches doing it. The rest just some Christmas carols....

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