Pope Benedict: The Grace of Christmas: 'To All' and 'For All'
Kivu, Darfur, in Sudan, and Somalia, whose interminable sufferings are the tragic consequence of the lack of stability and peace. This light is awaited especially by the children living in those countries, and the children of all countries experiencing troubles, so that their future can once more be filled with hope.
Wherever the dignity and rights of the human person are trampled upon; wherever the selfishness of individuals and groups prevails over the common good; wherever fratricidal hatred and the exploitation of man by man risk being taken for granted; wherever internecine conflicts divide ethnic and social groups and disrupt peaceful coexistence; wherever terrorism continues to strike; wherever the basics needed for survival are lacking; wherever an increasingly uncertain future is regarded with apprehension, even in affluent nations: in each of these places may the Light of Christmas shine forth and encourage all people to do their part in a spirit of authentic solidarity. If people look only to their own interests, our world will certainly fall apart.
Dear brothers and sisters, today, "the grace of God our Saviour has appeared" (cf. Tit 2:11) in this world of ours, with all its potential and its frailty, its advances and crises, its hopes and travails. Today, there shines forth the light of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High and the son of the Virgin Mary: "God from God, light from light, true God from true God. For us men, and for our salvation, he came down from heaven". Let us adore him, this very day, in every corner of the world, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a lowly manger. Let us adore him in silence, while he, still a mere infant, seems to comfort us by saying: Do not be afraid, "I am God, and there is no other" (Is 45:22). Come to me, men and women, peoples and nations, come to me. Do not be afraid: I have come to bring you the love of the Father, and to show you the way of peace.
Let us go, then, brothers and sisters! Let us make haste, like the shepherds on that Bethlehem night. God has come to meet us; he has shown us his face, full of grace and mercy! May his coming to us not be in vain! Let us seek Jesus, let us be drawn to his light which dispels sadness and fear from every human heart. Let us draw near to him with confidence, and bow down in humility to adore him. Merry Christmas to all!
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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.
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AMEN! beautiful, encouraging, inspiring, and spirit-filled!
"Come, Lord, Jesus, come. Fill our fragile human hearts with your mercy and love for only then, will we be able to experience Your divine and profound and hope! Come, Lord, Jesus, come, illuminate our hearts and every dark corner of our world with your divine light. Come, Lord, Jesus, come; reign in our hearts now and forever, amen."
This message of Our Holy Father was deeply moving. It spoke to my heart. So simple in text and image a child could easily understand and yet so profound and challenging a man of the world is compelled to take action. This message fills me with hope and awareness of God's infinite love while it demands of me a conversion more profound and more complete.
It truly is amazing that his holiness writes such a simple yet profound speech. He covers the crisis in Middle east, Africa, Yes the children, what of them? Little angels,poor of heart!
They are the true evangelists.
Their suffering like our lord cries out. Reading this speech of our Holy Father makes me feel like the shepards, simple, good natured, meek , rushing without question towards Jesus Christ. I can't change chaos but my prayers can!
Merry Christmas shepards.