Simple Christmas festivity contrasts with hedonism and pride, Pope tells audience

Vatican, Dec. 17, 2008 (CWNews.com) - Christmas is a season of "universal festivity," Pope Benedict XVI told his weekly public audience on December 17.

Breaking from his series of talks on the influence of St. Paul, the Holy Father told the crowd in the Paul VI auditorium: "Even non-believers perceive something extraordinary and transcendental" about the Christmas season.

However, the Pope warned, "under the drive of a hedonist consumerism, Christmas runs the risk of losing its spiritual meaning, reduced to a mere commercial occasion to buy and exchange gifts." In a way, he suggested, the world's current economic difficult;ies might "serve as a stimulus for rediscovering the warmth of the simplicity, friendship, and solidarity that are the typical values of Christmas."

The festive spirit of Christmas, the Pontiff continued, "signs of the gift of life." As we turn our eyes toward the infant Jesus in the manger, Christians should be grateful for that gift and ready to welcome it everywhere, he said; and that welcome should take the form of caring for those in need. "Contemplating Him in this crèche how can we not think of all the children who still today, in many regions of the world, are born amidst such poverty?"

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Christmas Message from Archbishop Pennacchio

Gloria in Exelcis Deo et in Terra Pax Hominibus Bonae Voluntatis!

Christmas is a season of joy and peace: you see everywhere people exchanging good wishes for happiness and peace among loved ones and friends both far and near. As disciples of the Lord, we engage one another in communicating the inner peace that Jesus has brought to this world by His Incarnation. This peace and joy are not confined to us only but is shared with everyone, who with an open heart receives the message of the birth of Jesus. Again and again Angels from heaven repeat the greeting: “Glory to God, in the highest, and on earth peace for those he favours.” (Lk. 2:14).

When the Child Jesus was born, a shining star appeared over Bethlehem. “In the countryside close by there were shepherds out in the fields keeping guard over their sheep during the watches of the night. An Angel of the Lord stood over them and the glory of the Lord shone round them, They were terrified, but the Angel said, ‘Do not be afraid. Look, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. There in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you. You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace for those he favours” (Lk 2: 9-14).

While I write these few lines I have in front of me the card with the image taken from the artistic Neapolitan Christmas Crib placed at the main hall of the Apostolic Nunciature in Bangkok. Christmas is for every one a season of joy and peace which radiates from the Child Jesus: I would like to exchange this peace with you. Christmas always reminds us how much we are loved by God: let us be grateful for this generosity of God towards us and extend the love of God to others too.

Every year HERALD gives me this great opportunity to greet you, the readers and benefactors of this weekly newspaper. On this graceful occasion of Christmas my sincere warm greetings and blessings come to you and to your family. May the Prince of Peace brighten your heart and your way. As we come close to the end of the year 2008, being a moment of renewal, I cordially wish you also a happy and prosperous New Year! To everyone once again, I wish a Blessed and a Happy Christmas!

Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio
Apostolic Delegate

Given in Bangkok, at the Apostolic Nunciature on November 30, 2008