In a message sent exclusively to Vatican News and L'Osservatore Romano, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem invites us to recognize others as brothers and sisters, for this is the meaning of the Incarnation of God. He calls us to open ourselves to dialogue, reconciliation, forgiveness and friendship, as many people in the Holy Land are already doing. We must “lift up our eyes and see the work of God being accomplished.”
Roberto Cetera and Antonella Palermo – Vatican City
From the wounded heart of the land where Jesus was born comes the Christmas message from the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, exclusively for Vatican News and L'Osservatore Romano.
Fall into a sea of hate
Pizzaballa's thoughts begin with contemplating the maelstrom of violence that seems to be engulfing the planet, then focus on what is happening in the Holy Land. “It seems that the whole world is experiencing a moment of great difficulty in which violence, hatred, division and feelings of revenge prevail,” he said in the video sent to the Vatican media. The patriarch expresses concern about the situation “in Northern Europe” and then focuses on the Middle East: “Since October 7th we have been plunged into a sea of hatred, resentment, revenge and death.” A hatred that, like him states, “has affected Israeli society and now also affects Palestinian society.” Above all, he carries in his heart what is happening in Gaza, but he also thinks about “our small Christian community in Bethlehem,” he denounces sadly.
Saying yes to God means opening yourself to reconciliation
Aware of “situations of great difficulty in which everyone is closed in their pain,” Pizzaballa emphasizes the unmistakable meaning of Christmas: “God comes to us, makes himself present for us and opens our hearts to the encounter with others to recognize that.” see the other as an important part of yourself. It therefore brings us back to look at Christmas in all its disarmed and unchanged value. “Despite all this great violence, we must not forget that the message of Christmas remains, perhaps even more important than ever at this moment. “God becomes flesh out of love,” he remembers, and gives us a new way of being in the world. That is, to give one's life for the love of others.” The noise of the weapons cannot distract from this, continues Cardinal Pizzaballa clear that “it is Christmas here in the Holy Land too, where there are people who say yes to God, yes to their brother and sister. Why say yes to God –” He says: “It means recognizing the other, the brother and the sister. And they are ready to open up to dialogue, to say yes to reconciliation, yes to forgiveness, yes to friendship.”
Move beyond the present pain and see the work of God
On this solemn day, the Patriarch addresses primarily his Church, but also to all who hear this message and “look to this Holy Land”. The painful but coherent invitation is expressed with the clear tone of one who trusts in the certainty that the Lord will not abandon him. “We must lift our gaze,” he concludes, “to go beyond the present pain and see the work of God being completed. Because Jesus is truly this child, he is truly the Lord of history, of the personal history of each of us and of world history”. Despite everything, it is time to proclaim that “we believe in it.” Today is Christmas, the cardinal announces and calls on everyone to do the same. God's blessing to everyone.