Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – Taking up the invitation made in the liturgy, to turn our gaze towards Bethlehem, “the little town of Judea that is witness to the great event,” the Holy Father Benedict XVI began his address prior to the recitation of the Angelus on Sunday, December 20, Fourth Sunday of Advent, speaking of the approaching feast of Christmas as “the prophecy of peace for all mankind” and the commitment of every Christian in preaching and promoting God's peace.
The Pontiff highlighted the fact that there is “a divine plan that includes and explains the times and places of the coming of the Son of God into the world.” It is a plan of peace, of Messianic peace, for which “Bethlehem is also a city-symbol of peace in the Holy Land and in the whole world.” “Unfortunately, Bethlehem does not represent an achieved and stable peace, but rather a peace that is laboriously sought and awaited,” the Pope said. “God, however, never resigns himself to this state of affairs. So, once again this year in Bethlehem and in the entire world, he will renew in the Church the mystery of Christmas, the prophecy of peace for all mankind, which commits Christians to face the barriers, the crises, often unknown and hidden, and the conflicts of their lives, with the sentiments of Jesus, to become the instruments and messengers of peace everywhere, to bring love where there is hate, forgiveness where there is offense, joy where there is sadness, and truth where there is error, according to the beautiful expressions of a famous Franciscan prayer.”
Lastly, the Holy Father mentioned that “today, as in the time of Jesus, Christmas is not a fairytale for children, but rather God's answer to the drama of humanity in search of peace...We are expected to throw open the doors to welcome him. Let us learn from Mary and Joseph: Let us put ourselves at the service of God's plan with faith. Even if we do not fully understand it, let us entrust ourselves to his wisdom and goodness.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 21/12/2009)
