VATICAN - The Pope at the Angelus says that “no one can know the moment of the Lord's return...the "nearness" of God is not a question of space and time, but rather a question of love: Love is near!”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – On the Third Sunday of Advent, December 14, which is called “Gaudete Sunday” - that is “rejoice” because the Lord is near - before praying the Angelus, the Holy Father Benedict XVI explained how we should “understand this 'nearness' of God.”
The Pope continued, saying: “The Apostle Paul, writing to the Christians of Philippi, is obviously thinking about Christ's return, and he invites them to rejoice because this return is certain. Nevertheless, the same St. Paul, in his first Letter to the Thessalonians, warns that no one can know the moment of the Lord's return and puts them on guard against all alarmism, as if the Lord's return were imminent. Thus, already at that time, the Church, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, understood more and more that the "nearness" of God is not a question of space and time, but rather a question of love: Love is near! Christmas will come to remind us of this fundamental truth of our faith and, before the crèche, taste Christian joy, contemplating in the face of the newborn Jesus the God who drew near to us for love.”
The Pope then gave the blessing for the “Bambinelli,” the statues of Baby Jesus to be placed in the mangers of nativity scenes, which the boys and girls of Rome's parishes and schools had brought with them. Benedict XVI then invited everyone to pray the Angelus, “calling upon the intercession of Mary, so that Jesus, who in his birth brings God's benediction to men, be welcomed with love in all the homes of Rome and the world.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 15/12/2008)