CHRISTMAS: A SOURCE OF HOPE AND JOY

During the year, the celebration of Christmas fosters a climate of hope and joy throughout the world.
Unfortunately, there are still men and women who remain in darkness and gloom.

This is the situation that many Jews were experiencing at the time of Jesus' birth.

Palestine is occupied by pagans: the Romans. The Jews must submit to the authority of the Emperor Augustus.
God respects the political situation that exists. Mary and Joseph are forced to move to obey the order of the census. God does not anticipate or delay the birth of his Son.

Since the beginning of creation, he has respected our freedom. It is up to us to assume the consequences, yesterday as today!
In addition, the Roman occupation gives rise to frequent collaborations among political and religious leaders. They profit from it to the detriment of the people! Injustice, violence, and poverty are frequent. Terrible diseases exclude from public life by adding a moral and religious dimension.

Despite this trying context, faith in the God of the Covenant remains thanks to what the prophets announced. All await and hope for the promised Messiah. He will restore the integrity of Israel and save his People.

Thanks to Mary and Joseph who let themselves be guided by the Holy Spirit, the Word of God becomes flesh. He becomes one of us to share our human condition and communicate to it the Merciful Love of his Father.

From his birth, the newborn offers himself to our diversity: to the simple and poor, the shepherds, to the learned and the rich, the Magi.

Celebrating the birth of Jesus consists of opening one's heart to share together the Love that we receive from him.
The celebration of Christmas takes us out of our "inner gloom", it commits us to openness to others.
Christmas supports our hope to move towards the Future.

With all my heart, I wish you a Holy and Merry Christmas !

Mgr + Christian Nourrichard

Ecclesiastical Assistant of Vie Montante Internationale