Patriarch of Jerusalem: Christ, Light in the Darkness

Christians are called to remind everyone that "Christ is the light which never goes out".

JERUSALEM (AsiaNews) - The patriarch of Jerusalem, Msgr. Foud Twal has published his Christmas message together with the 12 leaders of the Christian Churches, in which he reaffirms faith in Christ, born in Bethlehem, as the light which shines through the dark. In the message the 12 prelates note that "in the world around is there is increasing darkness, conflict and desperation", but that Christians are called to remind everyone that "Christ is the light which never goes out".

After having underlined the urgency of solidarity to the poorest, the homeless and the unemployed the Christian leaders affirmed that the light of Christ makes it possible to "work in a more realistic way for the two state solution [Israel and Palestine], that could put an end to the burden of restriction produce by the ongoing occupation".

The bishops also pray "for the US president elect, so that he along with other world leaders can see the need for peace in the Middle East and beyond". And they ask everyone to "look, by the light of Christ, at the situation of suffering in Gaza, to make a concrete effort to bring them urgent help".

The Christian leaders thank all pilgrims who have travelled to the Holy Land and ask them to "walk in the footsteps of Jesus" and in the free moments of their pilgrimage to the Holy Sites, be mindful of the "situation of their fellow Christians".