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Christmas/ Pope Leo: A celebration of faith, charity and hope

2025-12-25 07:53:00, Aktualitet CNA

Presiding over the Christmas Eve Mass at night in St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo XIV recalled the bright star, "a spark newly kindled and shining with life" that illuminated the night sky, captivating the world, as recounted in the Gospel of Luke: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who lived in a place of deep darkness, light has dawned," proclaiming "to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord."

“In time and space, among us, comes He without whom we would not exist. He who gives his life for us lives among us, illuminating the night with his light of salvation. There is no darkness that this star does not illuminate, for with its light all humanity sees the dawn of a new and eternal life.”

In his homily, Pope Leo described how in the birth of Jesus "God gives us nothing less than himself, in order to 'redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people for his own possession'."

“The omnipotence of God shines in the helplessness of a newborn; the eloquence of the eternal Word echoes in the first cry of a baby; the holiness of the Spirit shines in that little body, freshly washed and wrapped in cloth.”

The child’s need for care “becomes divine, since the Son of the Father shares history with all his brothers and sisters,” the Pope added, and this divine light that emanates from Jesus “helps us to recognize humanity in every new life.” To help heal our blindness, the Pope said that “God chooses to reveal himself in every human being, who reflects his true image, according to a plan of love begun at the creation of the world.” And recalling the words of Pope Benedict XVI, he noted that if we make room for man, then there is also room for God.

The Pope encouraged us to be amazed by the "wisdom of Christmas", as God gives the world a new life, his own, in the Child Jesus, in "a love story that draws us".

“In response to the expectations of the peoples, He sends a child to be a word of hope. In the face of the suffering of the poor, He sends someone defenseless to be the strength to rise again. In the face of violence and oppression, He lights a gentle light that illuminates with salvation all the children of this world.”

“God becomes like us, revealing the infinite dignity of each person,” the Pope underlined, in contrast to a world where humanity can seek to become “god” in order to dominate others. He said that “in the heart of Christ beats the bond of love that unites heaven and earth, the Creator and creatures,” and recognizing this reality is the key to changing our history, letting the light of God’s mercy and love shine.

Recalling Pope Francis' words last year on this day, after opening the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica to mark the beginning of the Jubilee Year, Pope Leo affirmed how "the Birth of Jesus revives in us 'the gift and duty of bringing hope wherever hope is lost', because 'with him, joy blooms; with him, life changes; with him, hope does not disappoint'".

In conclusion, the Pope encouraged everyone to experience and share “the joy of Christmas, which is a celebration of faith, charity and hope.” In faith we see how “God becomes man, born of the Virgin,” while in charity we experience how “the gift of the redeeming Son is realized in fraternal self-giving.” And we celebrate the hope of Christmas, as “the Child Jesus ignites it within us, making us messengers of peace.”/ CNA