Dear brothers and sisters,
For millennia peoples across the earth have lifted their eyes to the heavens, given names to the stars and seen in them various figures. In their longing they tried to read the future from the sky, seeking from on high the truth that was lacking down in the midst of their homes. Yet, as if seized by darkness, they remained astray, confused by their own oracles. But on that night “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined” (Js 9:2).
Behold the star that astonishes the world; the spark that has just been kindled and kindles life: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born for you; he is Messiah, the Lord” (Lk 2:11).
Into time and space — into the midst of our lives — comes This, without whom we would not exist. He, who gives his life for us, lives among us, illuminating the nights with his saving light. There is no darkness that this star would not illuminate, for by his light all humanity sees the dawn of a new and eternal life.
This is the birth of Jesus, Immanuel. In the Son made man God gives us nothing less than himself, to “redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people of his own” (Titus 2:14). Today was born He, who redeems us from the dark night. The sign of dawn is no longer to be sought in the distant corners of the cosmos, but in the nearby stable and in adoring him.
A clear sign to a dark world is indeed „a child wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger“ (Lk 2:12). To find the Savior one need not look up, but down: God’s omnipotence shines in the newborn’s helplessness; the expressive power of the Eternal Word echoes in the infant’s first cry; the sanctifying presence of the Holy Spirit shines in the small body, freshly washed and wrapped in swaddling clothes. The need for care and warmth becomes divine, for the Son of the Father shares the story of all his brothers and sisters. The divine light radiating from this Child helps us recognize human dignity in every new life.
To heal our darkness, the Lord chooses to reveal himself in every person who reflects his true image, according to His plan of love that began at the creation of the world. As long as the night of error hides this provident truth, „there is no room even for others, for children, for the poor, for strangers“ (Benedictus XVI, homily, Christmas Midnight Mass, 24 December 2012). These words of Pope Benedict XVI remain a timely reminder that there is no room for God on earth where there is no room for the human person. The refusal of one implies the refusal of the other. Yet where there is room for the human person, there is room for God as well; even a stable can become holier than a temple and the Virgin Mary from the manger can become the Ark of the New Covenant.
Let us marvel, dear brothers and sisters, at the wisdom of Christmas. In the Child Jesus God gives the world new life; he gives his own life, which is for everyone. He does not give us a clever solution to every problem, but a love story that draws us to himself. In answer to the hopes of the peoples he sends the child to us as a word of hope.
This child is defenseless. In the face of oppression he kindles a gentle light that illuminates with salvation all the children of this world. As Saint Augustine noted: „Human pride weighed us down so heavily that only humility could lift us up again“ (Saint Augustine, Homily 188, III, 3).
While a distorted economy leads people to be treated as commodities, God becomes like us, revealing the infinite dignity of every person. While humanity strives to become “gods” in order to dominate others, God chooses to become human to free us from every form of slavery.
Is this love enough to change our history?
The answer comes as soon as we awake from the deadly night into the light of new life and contemplate like the shepherds over the Infant Jesus.
Above the stable in Bethlehem, where Mary and Joseph watch the newborn child with wonder, the starry sky becomes “a multitude of the heavenly host” (Lk 2:13). These are unarmed and disarming hosts, for they sing of the glory of God, whose true manifestation is peace on earth (cf. p. 14).
Indeed, in the heart of Christ beats the bond of love that unites heaven and earth, Creator and creature.
For this reason, exactly one year ago, Pope Francis affirmed that the birth of Jesus rekindles in us “the gift and the task of bringing hope where hope has disappeared”, because “with him joy blossoms; with him life is transformed; with him hope does not disappoint” (Homily, Midnight Mass, 24 December 2024). With these words the holy year began. Now, as the Jubilee Year draws to a close, Christmas becomes for us a time of gratitude and mission: gratitude for the gift received and a mission to bear witness to the world. As the psalmist sings: “Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples” (Ps 96:2–3).
Brothers and sisters,
The experience of the Word made flesh awakens in the whole Church a new and authentic proclamation. Let us therefore proclaim the joy of Christmas, which is the holiness of faith, love and hope.
This is the feast of faith, because God becomes man, born of the Virgin.
This is the feast of charity, because the gift of the Redeeming Son is fulfilled in fraternal self-giving.
This is the feast of hope, for the Infant Jesus makes us messengers of peace.
With these virtues in our hearts, unafraid of the dark night, we can go forth to meet the dawn of a new day.